Chennai wakes to heavy showers, IMD rings orange, yellow alerts several districts in Tamil Nadu; check full list

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded weather alerts for several districts in Tamil Nadu as the state braces for spells of rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. An orange alert has been declared in a few northern districts, while widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected across most of the state.

With parts of Chennai already experiencing heavy downpours on Friday morning, the department has urged residents to remain cautious.

Chennai and several parts of Tamil Nadu were hit by intense showers on Friday, August 22, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The sudden downpour caught residents off guard, leading to waterlogging in key neighbourhoods such as Annanagar, Guindy, Kodambakkam, Madipakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Pillar, and Koyambedu.

Municipal workers have been deployed to clear flooded stretches, especially where ongoing metro construction has already slowed traffic.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, parts of the city recorded 4–5 cm of rain between 5 a.m. and the early morning hours, with Nungambakkam, Adyar, Raja Annamalaipuram, and Vadapalani among the worst hit. For the day, maximum temperatures are expected to stay around 35°C, with minimums between 27–28°C.

Chennai Weather and Rains Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded different levels of alerts across Tamil Nadu and Odisha, warning of continued rainfall and thunderstorms.

Orange Alert:

• Thiruvallur
  
• Kancheepuram
  
• Chengalpattu
  
• Cuddalore
  
• Jharsuguda (Odisha)
  
• Sundargarh (Odisha)
  
• Jagatsinghpur (Odisha)
  
• Kendrapara (Odisha)
  
• Cuttack (Odisha)
  
  

Yellow Alert:

• Jajpur (Odisha)
  
• Khurda (Odisha)
  
• Puri (Odisha)
  
• Bargarh (Odisha)
  
• Sambalpur (Odisha)
  
• Deogarh (Odisha)
  
• Keonjhar (Odisha)
  
• Mayurbhanj (Odisha)
  
• Dhenkanal (Odisha)
  
  

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall is expected in most districts of Tamil Nadu, barring Erode, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Karur, Thiruchirapalli, Ranipet, Namakkal, and Perambalur.

The weather office has also cautioned that thunderstorms with lightning could continue at one or two locations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until August 23. Several central and western districts, including Trichy, Villupuram, Coimbatore, and Thanjavur, are also likely to see moderate rainfall with thunderstorms in the coming days.