The Hindu (Tamil Nadu) · 16 Sept, 5:30

Science and technology

Rainfall to intensify in interior places, likely to keep temperatures moderate in T.N.

The India Meteorological Department is expecting the monsoon to begin retreating from parts of the country from September 19

After a gap of a few weeks, Tamil Nadu is set to receive fairly widespread rainfall, with heavy rainfall likely in various interior districts until September 21.

A weather system that has kept the Southwest monsoon active over the State is expected to sustain the wet spell and bring relief from elevated temperatures. Various parts of the State received rainfall, with Dindigul district recording the highest rainfall of 13 cm in the State during the 24-hour period ending on Tuesday morning.

The Regional Meteorological Centre has predicted that heavy rainfall would continue in isolated places with gusty winds of speed reaching 40-50 kmph in six districts, including Nilgiris and Ranipet districts on Wednesday. Various other interior districts, including Madurai, Tiruchi and Karur, would receive moderate rainfall.

The wet weather is likely to prevent temperatures from peaking further in interior places reeling under sweltering heat. On Tuesday, Tiruchi recorded the State’s highest maximum temperature at 37.7 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature stayed close to normal in most other places.

Officials of the RMC said a trough extending from south interior Karnataka to Gulf of Mannar across TN and another weather system over the Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka would trigger rainfall, particularly in interior parts of the State.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department is expecting the monsoon to begin retreating from parts of the country from September 19.

V.R.Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC said the State may continue to experience intermittent rainspells, with moderate temperatures, till the month end. September is the rainiest month of the monsoon in TN. Another weather system is expected to form next week and keep the temperature under check.

On the humid weather in coastal belt like Chennai, he said the early onset of sea breeze by noon hours led to moisture incursion into the land. However, it often has not translated to widespread rainfall and led to humid weather.

While Chennai is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas on Wednesday, rainfall may be more pronounced in Chennai and its surrounding districts from September 18.

Published - September 16, 2026 05:30 am IST