Heavy rain lashed Thoothukudi on October 16, 2025
| Photo Credit: N. Rajesh
The Northeast monsoon, which brings a major share of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall, set in on Thursday (October 16, 2025), marking an onset ahead of its usual date of October 20. The seasonal rains are expected to trigger intense downpours across several districts till October 22.The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) declared the simultaneous exit of Southwest monsoon from the country and the onset of Northeast (NE) monsoon over parts of southern peninsular region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, on Thursday.While wet weather is likely to persist across the State till October 22, heavy rainfall is expected to continue over various districts, including coastal and delta regions.The prevailing upper air cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area, which brought fairly widespread rainfall across the State, and easterly winds were key indicators for the arrival of NE monsoon.It may be recalled that the State experienced an early onset of NE monsoon last year as well, on October 15. It had signed off on a positive note, recording 33% excess rainfall.This year, the monsoon’s first spell brought intense downpour over many places. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, Kayalpattinam and Thoothukudi received very heavy rainfall of 15 cm, followed by Thiruchendur with 13 cm. Several other places, including Ranipet, Tirunelveli, and Mayiladuthurai also reported heavy rainfall.
