Chennai, Oct 31
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted heavy rain across 15 districts in Tamil Nadu from till November 2.
The districts likely to be affected include Dindigul, Madurai, Tiruchi, Karur, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, and Ariyalur. Moderate to heavy rain is also expected in Puducherry and Karaikal on Thursday.
According to the RMC, this rainfall activity is due to a weather circulation over the Gulf of Mannar and a downward atmospheric circulation over the coastal areas of southern Andhra Pradesh.
The Northeast Monsoon, which began on October 17, has already brought substantial rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast normal to above-normal rainfall for northern parts of the state and normal rainfall for southern parts though many southern districts have already received heavy rain.
For the season from October to December, the IMD expects above-normal rainfall, estimating the south peninsular region -- including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh -- will receive 112 per cent of the long-period average of 33.4 cm.
Tamil Nadu typically receives an average of 44 cm during the northeast monsoon period. In view of the heavy rain, the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has issued a flood alert for 15 villages along the banks of the Thenpennai River.