Tamil Nadu rains intensified across the western and southern districts, improving reservoir inflows while causing waterlogging, traffic disruption and flood concerns in low-lying areas. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in Theni, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, with an orange alert issued for Coimbatore and the Nilgiris. The spell has also exposed the uneven distribution of rainfall across the state, with Cauvery delta farmers reporting that showers remain inadequate for samba paddy cultivation.
Theni recorded some of the heaviest rainfall. Periyakulam received 147mm in the 24 hours ending Friday morning, followed by 124mm at Vaigai dam and 102mm at Andipatti. The rainfall prompted warnings against bathing in the Vaigai river or going near its banks because of the possibility of sudden flooding. Waterfalls in the region were closed to tourists, while residents were advised to move livestock to safer locations.
Officials deployed teams to monitor 43 flood-vulnerable locations in Madurai. Inflow into the Vaigai reservoir reached 400 cusecs, raising the water level to 43.24ft against its full reservoir level of 71ft. The IMD forecast isolated heavy rain in Theni and Madurai on Friday and Saturday, keeping riverbank and low-lying area precautions in force.
Coimbatore received widespread rain from Thursday evening, with showers continuing on Friday. Pollachi recorded the district’s highest rainfall at 153mm, while Podanur received 90.6mm. Strong winds and prolonged rain caused waterlogging on major roads and traffic congestion across several stretches of Coimbatore.
Weather observer Santhosh Krishnan said the entire Kongu belt, including Coimbatore city, had received very heavy rain after nearly one and a half years. Heavy showers were also reported in several parts of the Western Ghats, improving water levels in the Parambikulam, Aliyar, Thirumoorthy and Amaravathi dams.
The rainfall pattern was markedly weaker in the Cauvery delta. Thanjavur remained largely dry, apart from light rain in Pattukottai, Budalur and Thiruvidaimaruthur. Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai recorded modest showers. Farmers said they were expecting a better spell in the coming days, but the available rain had not yet been sufficient to sustain samba paddy crops.
Trichy also reported disruption after rain on Thursday night flooded major roads and low-lying areas. Although water receded by Friday morning, commuters faced waterlogged bus routes and power cuts. The disruption has brought renewed attention to the ability of city drainage and road networks to handle sudden intense rainfall at the beginning of the northeast monsoon.
The IMD warnings for western and southern districts, along with continued monitoring of vulnerable locations, remain the immediate operational measures reported by authorities. Residents have been advised to avoid riverbanks and closed waterfalls, while further rainfall in the coming days will determine reservoir inflows and conditions for farmers in the Cauvery delta.
