The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has issued a heavy rainfall alert for parts of southern Tamil Nadu, including Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, and Virudhunagar. This alert warns of intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms. A low-pressure area formed over the equatorial Indian Ocean and the southeast Bay of Bengal on Saturday, as per the weather bulletin. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and strengthen into a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the equatorial Indian Ocean soon.
Moderate rainfall is likely in one or two places across southern and northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal due to this system’s influence. However, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, and Virudhunagar districts are specifically cautioned to expect heavy rainfall with thunderstorms on Sunday. The Meteorological Office also forecasts light rainfall at isolated spots in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from February 23 to February 25. For Chennai and Puducherry on Sunday, the sky is predicted to be partly cloudy with no significant rainfall expected within city limits.
Fishermen have received a strong advisory due to the changing weather conditions. Wind speeds of up to 60 kmph are expected over the Gulf of Mannar, the south Tamil Nadu coast, the Comorin Sea, and parts of the Bay of Bengal on February 22. The Regional Meteorological Centre has advised fishermen against venturing into these areas due to rough seas and strong gusty winds.
Authorities are closely monitoring the system’s movement and intensity. Residents in the southern districts, especially those prone to waterlogging and local flooding, are advised to remain cautious. Disaster response teams are on standby in case the system intensifies further. The weather department will issue updated forecasts and warnings as the low-pressure system evolves over the next 24 to 48 hours.
