Chennai Rains: IMD Issues Alert for Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu Capital

Chennai :The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'nowcast rain alert' for five districts in Tamil Nadu, including Poonamallee, Sholinganallur, Thiruporur, Vandalur, and Tambaram, forecasting heavy rains over the next 2-3 days.

According to the latest press release from the IMD, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on October 18, 20, and 21. The weather department has also warned of precipitation across south interior Karnataka until October 22, and in Kerala and Mahe on October 22 and 23.

An orange alert has been activated for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts today, signaling the potential for significant rainfall. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai reported that the weather will likely feature a partly cloudy sky with moderate rain or thunderstorms throughout the day.

Temperatures in Chennai are expected to range from a maximum of around 34 degrees Celsius to a minimum of approximately 24 degrees Celsius. The IMD also issued a 'nowcast rain alert' for nine other districts in Tamil Nadu, including Kundrathur, Velachery, and Purasaiwakkam.

In light of the impending rainfall, the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, criticized the DMK government’s flood mitigation measures. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami called for a white paper on the recommendations of the recently established Thiruppugazh Committee, aimed at addressing flood prevention and mitigation.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi responded, stating that the government's actions regarding waterlogging already constitute a comprehensive response. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasized that the government is well-prepared to handle any volume of rainfall, following an inspection of ongoing flood relief measures in his Kolathur Assembly constituency.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant and prepare for possible disruptions as heavy rains are set to continue until October 23.