Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu as southwest monsoon arrives early; red alert continues for Nilgiris, ghat areas
District officials shifted 70 residents from low-lying areas to shelters in Thalayathimund, Alagarmalai and Ranganathapuram as a precaution.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecast heavy rain with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph in several regions, including the Nilgiris, Coimbatore (ghat areas), Theni, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, and Tiruppur between May 25 and 28.
RMC Director B Amudha said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27.
An orange alert has been issued for Monday in Theni, Tenkasi, and ghat areas of Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. Heavy rain is also likely in Tiruppur and Dindigul.
Orange alerts have been sounded for the Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore on Tuesday and Wednesday. Light to moderate rain is expected in multiple districts including Virudhunagar. Trekking in Velliangiri hill has been halted and coracle rides in Bhavani River cancelled due to increased inflow.
Kanniyakumari saw 49 trees uprooted and 170 electric poles damaged, with 20.51 mm rainfall recorded till Sunday morning.
(With inputs from Chennai and Kanyakumari)
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