Heavy Rain to Lash Western Ghats as Monsoon Strengthens Over Tamil Nadu

Heavy rain is expected to intensify across parts of Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats region from Saturday, as meteorological conditions turn favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

The forecast warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph in isolated areas over the hilly and adjoining districts.

Isolated intense spells are likely over Nilgiris, Theni, Dindigul, and the Ghat regions of Coimbatore district , while widespread heavy rain with thunderstorms has also been predicted across Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruppur, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Kanyakumari, as well as the Ghat regions of Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.

Meteorologists have also cautioned that high temperatures combined with elevated humidity are likely to create uncomfortable conditions across the north coastal regions of Tamil Nadu , including Chennai.

Meanwhile, Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 40.4°C on Friday , underscoring the simultaneous heat stress affecting the state even as monsoon conditions build.

In the past 24 hours, Tirunelveli district’s Nalumukku area received the highest rainfall of 17 cm , followed by Mylar in Kanyakumari district, which recorded 9 cm , indicating already active convective systems over southern Tamil Nadu.

Experts note that the Western Ghats region has been witnessing a rising frequency of extreme rainfall events in recent years , with intense, short-duration downpours increasingly contributing to localised flooding, landslides, and disruption of transport and livelihoods in vulnerable hill and downstream settlements. Climate variability combined with orographic effects is believed to be amplifying rainfall intensity in these ecologically sensitive zones.

Authorities have urged residents in hill districts and low-lying areas to remain cautious, particularly in regions prone to flash floods and landslides, as monsoon activity strengthens over the coming days.