Overview

• RMC Chennai says conditions are favourable for the monsoon to set in over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal by Oct. 16, about four days earlier than normal, with fairly widespread rain likely through Oct. 20.
• Heavy downpours have already hit many areas, including very heavy 24‑hour rain of 14 cm at Ennore in Chennai, with additional significant totals in coastal and Western Ghats districts.
• IMD issued orange and yellow alerts for multiple districts including Chennai, warning of moderate rain with thunderstorms, hourly rates up to 15 mm, and surface winds of 41–61 kmph this morning.
• Fishermen have been advised to avoid southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala coastal waters, the Gulf of Mannar, the Kumari Sea, and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep zones due to gusty winds and rough seas.
• Water Resources Department officials began controlled releases from the Poondi and Red Hills reservoirs because of fast inflows, and Tiruvallur district issued flood warnings for low-lying areas along the surplus course.