IndiaPosted at: Oct 20 2026 11:35AM


IMD warns of very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, 7-day wet spell in Kerala

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday warned of very heavy rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal over the next 48 hours and persistent rain across Kerala until October 26, cautioning that intense downpours and strong winds could trigger localised flooding, damage crops and disrupt road and rail services in southern India.
In its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued at 8.57 a.m., the weather department forecast isolated very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on October 20 and 21, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts to 60 kmph.
Kerala and Mahe are expected to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places throughout October 20-26, while Lakshadweep faces a similar warning from October 22 to 26.
The IMD also predicted heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 20 and 21, Rayalaseema on October 21 and south interior Karnataka from October 21 to 24.
The warnings come amid active weather systems over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. A well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Arabian Sea was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a low-pressure area before moving towards the Somalia coast around October 22.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the south Tamil Nadu coast, extended up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, with an associated trough stretching towards the northwest Bay of Bengal.
The IMD warned that heavy rainfall and strong winds could uproot small trees, damage plantations and standing crops, affect vulnerable structures and cause waterlogging and inundation in low-lying areas.
"Road and rail traffic may be affected due to heavy rain and squally winds," the department said, warning of possible landslides, mudslides, reduced visibility and disruption to helicopter services.
People in vulnerable areas have been advised to monitor weather conditions and remain prepared to move to safer locations if necessary. The department also cautioned against taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms.
The IMD issued fishermen's warnings for the southwest Arabian Sea and adjoining waters from October 20 to 22, and for waters along and off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and the Lakshadweep area from October 22 to 24.
Squally weather, with winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph, was forecast over parts of the southwest Arabian Sea.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also likely to experience heavy rainfall at isolated places on October 20 and again from October 23 to 26, with widespread rainfall forecast during much of the week.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also expected in parts of Rayalaseema, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha during the initial forecast period.
In contrast, the weather department forecast dry conditions across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh throughout October 20-26.
Isolated rainfall may occur in Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir from October 23 onwards, although no significant weather activity is forecast across most of northwest India.
According to observations recorded between 8.30 a.m. on October 19 and 5.30 a.m. on October 20, Kozhikode in Kerala received 10 cm of rainfall, while Tondi in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district recorded 5 cm.
Rajkot in Gujarat reported the country's highest maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius, while Mandi in Himachal Pradesh recorded the lowest minimum temperature cited in the bulletin at 12.4 degrees Celsius.
The IMD advised farmers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and coastal Andhra Pradesh to drain excess water from fields, protect harvested produce and postpone fertiliser application and pesticide spraying during heavy rainfall.
It also warned that adverse weather could affect fishing vessels, horticultural crops and vulnerable rural infrastructure.
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