Northeast monsoon arrives early in Tamil Nadu
The Northeast monsoon has arrived in Tamil Nadu five days earlier than usual, prompting the Regional Meteorological Centre to issue orange alerts for heavy rainfall. While the state faced a deficit during the Southwest monsoon, officials expect normal rainfall for the current season.
Why it matters
Early monsoon onset and heavy rainfall alerts are critical for disaster preparedness and agricultural planning in the region.
Northeast monsoon arrives early in Tamil Nadu left Bracing for rain: The RMC has issued an orange alert for six districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday C. VENKATACHALAPATHY C. VENKATACHALAPATHY https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/wm9lfa/article71589215.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/9712_15_10_2026_15_11_10_3__DSC0580.JPG VENKATACHALAPATHY_C VELLORE, TAMIL NADU: 15/10/2026: standalone: Rain lashed in vellore motorists switch on their headlights on the Chennai-Bengaluru National highway in vellore on Thursday. Photo: C Venkatachalapathy /The Hindu RMC forecasts normal seasonal rainfall over the State. Meteorologists note that early monsoon onset does not always translate to above normal rainfall. CHENNAI The wait for Tamil Nadu’s major rainy season is over, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai on Thursday declaring the onset of the Northeast monsoon, five days earlier than its normal date of arrival, and coinciding with the withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon.
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