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2026-08-06 04:36 UTC → 2026-08-09 04:00 UTC ·
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Tamil Nadu heatwave weather: alternating heatwaves and heavy rain alerts
From Since early May 2026, Tamil Nadu’s weather agencies began issuing a series of heavy‑rain and strong‑wind warnings for dozens Nadu has experienced alternating periods of districts, citing a trough moving from Madhya Pradesh into the Mannar Bay and a cyclonic circulation over the south‑west monsoon. Alerts covered districts such as Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli intense rainfall, strong winds, and coastal zones, extreme heat. The period began with authorities urging residents to stay alert for landslides, flash flooding heavy-rain and to keep fishermen off sea. Throughout May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expanded strong-wind warnings due to include heavy downpours, thunderstorms and gusts of 40‑50 km/h across interior and hilly districts, while Chennai and north‑coastal areas remained hot a trough and humid near 40 °C. cyclonic circulation. While June and early July saw a continuation of the pattern: a cyclonic circulation over South Kerala prompted heavy rain forecasts for 22 districts, followed by successive bulletins predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds through mid‑June across more than 15 districts. Temperatures stayed high, often 3‑4 °C above normal, with occasional relief from rain in the Western Ghats. July brought Ghats and hilly districts, a mixed phase. A weak southwest monsoon limited rainfall statewide, leading in July led to a pronounced heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in several interior districts 40°C and a record electricity demand of 21,724 MW on 16 July. Nonetheless, moderate to demand. In early August, weather patterns shifted toward more frequent unsettled conditions. A weak low-pressure circulation brought forecasts for heavy rain persisted in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris, accompanied by gusty strong winds to western districts, including Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Nilgiris, Theni, and occasional thunderstorms. Alerts also mentioned possible school closures in Chennai Kanyakumari, through August 6. Although temperatures remained relatively high, some cooling was noted. By mid-August, thunderstorms and marine warnings for fishermen. In early August, the Regional Meteorological Centre warned gusty winds of heavy rain 40–50 km/h affected North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and gusty Karaikal. Heavy showers and strong winds in four districts (Koyambuthur, Theni, Tirunelveli, Nilgiri hills) such as Chengalpattu and Ranipet caused waterlogging on low-lying roads. Meteorological forecasts indicate that moderate rain across many others, offering temporary rainfall and unsettled weather are expected to persist through August 14, providing continued relief from the ongoing heat. Overall, the period has been marked by alternating bouts previous heatwaves while maintaining risks of intense rainfall, strong winds, and sustained high temperatures, with repeated advisories for public safety, flood‑risk management, and heat‑related health precautions. localized flooding.