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Heavy rain lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday, October 25, after a new low-pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The weather office said the system, which developed from a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay and adjoining south Andaman Sea, formed early on Saturday and is likely to intensify over the next two days. Moving in a west-northwest direction, it is expected to bring widespread rain across coastal and northern districts through the weekend. The IMD has also advised residents to stay alert for possible flooding and traffic disruptions in low-lying urban areas.

Under the influence of the system, districts such as Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry received heavy showers on Saturday. Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet are also likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over the next two days, the IMD said in its bulletin. The weather office has predicted light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, across most parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on Sunday. Rainfall activity is expected to continue through Monday, with localised intense spells that could cause temporary waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Several parts of Sivaganga district were already affected by intense downpours on Saturday. Areas including Tirupathur, Singampunari, and Karaikudi reported heavy rain, leaving portions of Kundrakudi, Pillayarpatti, and Sirukoodalpatti submerged. Local administration teams were deployed to drain accumulated rainwater, while residents in flood-prone zones were urged to remain cautious. Disaster management authorities have also placed northern and central districts on alert as Tamil Nadu braces for another active monsoon phase.

The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea due to rough conditions and strong winds over the Bay of Bengal. Coastal security agencies and harbour authorities have been instructed to monitor the situation closely. Meteorologists said the ongoing system marks a renewed phase of the northeast monsoon, which typically brings substantial rainfall to southern India between October and December. While the rain is expected to ease dry conditions in interior regions, experts warned that intense bursts could disrupt daily life in Chennai and neighbouring coastal districts.

With the monsoon current strengthening, the IMD expects rainfall activity to persist across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the coming days.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros