Heavy rain to lash Tamil Nadu, Chennai – will low-pressure system intensify into a cyclone?
Tamil Nadu is expected to continue experiencing heavy rainfall as the northeast monsoon sets in. On Thursday, several areas, including the state capital Chennai, are likely to receive significant downpours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that “heavy rain is likely [on Thursday, October 23] at isolated locations in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet districts.”
The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at several locations, along with possible thunderstorms and lightning over Puducherry and the Karaikal region, in addition to Tamil Nadu. Within the state, districts such as Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, The Nilgiris, Thiruvallur, Thoothukkudi, and Tirunelveli are expected to experience light to moderate showers.
In the wake of the heavy rainfall, authorities had ordered the closure of schools and colleges in some districts. Are schools and colleges open today?
There is currently no official information regarding the closure of schools and offices in Tamil Nadu’s capital city.
Power cuts
As rainfall is expected to continue in the city today, there is a possibility of power cuts in several areas.
Tamil Nadu weather update: Will rain intensity reduce as low pressure weakens?
Several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry received heavy showers due to a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The system, which moved northwestwards from off the north coast of Sri Lanka and was centred near the Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday morning, is expected to weaken within the next 24 hours, the weather agency had said.
“The well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast moved northwestwards across north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, and lay over the north coastal Tamil Nadu and neighbourhood at 1730 hrs IST today, 22 October 2025,” an IMD update on ‘X’ stated.
What’s next for Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh?
“It is likely to move west-northwestwards across north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh and weaken into a low-pressure area during the next 24 hours,” it added.
What about the depression over the Arabian Sea?
Meanwhile, the depression over the southeast Arabian Sea moved northwards at a speed of 7 kmph during the past six hours and was centred at 1730 hrs IST on 22 October 2025 over the same region — about 620 km west-southwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep) and 980 km southwest of Panjim (Goa).
“It is likely to move initially northwards and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards during the next 24 hours,” the IMD said.
