Live: Heavy downpours lash Tamil Nadu as authorities issue alerts near Palar river

Educational institutions in five Tamil Nadu districts, encompassing Chennai, are remaining shut on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) in the wake of torrential precipitation, district administrations confirmed. School closures were officially ordered by the District Collectors of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, with Ranipet authorities also issuing corresponding closure notifications due to inclement weather.

Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand toured inundated pockets within his T. Nagar constituency, directing municipal staff to rapidly deploy motor pumps to clear waterlogged streets. He attributed the widespread stagnation across several T. Nagar stretches to active Metro Rail construction projects.

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Households across Tamil Nadu face an immediate mandate to inspect, clean, and repair all rainwater harvesting structures as the Northeast monsoon rains have commenced in full force. Tamil Nadu mandates the immediate inspection and repair of rainwater harvesting systems, backed by top-tier monitoring to guarantee widespread participation and boost groundwater recharge.

An integrated control room to log rain-related grievances was established at the Collectorates in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts on Wednesday (October 21, 2026). Residents residing in settlements along the banks of the Palar River in Vellore have been strongly advised against crossing the waterway, while those situated in low-lying zones have been instructed to move to government-operated shelters or alternative secure locations away from the riverbank. Integrated control rooms across Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai are actively managing rain-related complaints and safety helplines.

Potholes pose hazards for motorists in Salem, Salem, Tamil Nadu 21/10/2026: Standalone: Water leakage from a pipeline alongside rainwater stagnation at the Udayapatti Road Junction has resulted in the creation of large cavities, presenting a danger to motorists in Salem, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Photo: LAKSHMI NARAYANAN E / THE HINDU

On Wednesday (October 21, 2026), Chennai Mayor R. Priya carried out an inspection of ongoing stormwater drain construction projects within the Basin Bridge area under the Greater Chennai Corporation's Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar Zone.

Several locations within and surrounding Chennai experienced heavy overnight downpours on October 20 (Tuesday). According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), MGR Nagar in Chennai recorded the highest tally of 15 cm during the 24-hour window ending at 8:30 a.m. on October 21 (Wednesday). Rainfall totals recorded across Chennai: — K. Lakshmi

The Northeast monsoon has shifted into an active phase, triggering intense rounds of overnight rainfall across Tamil Nadu, with a particular focus on northern coastal districts. This wet weather spell is projected to persist through October 26, 2026, accompanied by a low-pressure area developing over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast during the early hours of Wednesday (October 21). The Northeast monsoon strengthens across Tamil Nadu, bringing forecasts of heavy to very heavy rains across multiple districts lasting until October 26, 2026.

As per the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, Nungambakkam logged a maximum temperature of 30.9°C (1.1°C below normal) while Chennai Airport recorded 31.4°C (0.6°C below normal) during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. Both weather stations registered a minimum of 24.7°C, which is close to normal. The day's peak temperature reached 36°C at Madurai Airport, standing 3.1°C above normal. The lowest minimum temperature stood at 19.8°C at Coimbatore Airport in the plains and 12.4°C at Ooty in the hill stations.

Dark storm clouds loom over the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway within Ranipet district on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), as a woman herds her livestock for grazing amidst a light drizzle at Ratnagiri in Ranipet district. WhatsApp Image 2026-10-21 at 11.39.00 (1).jpeg Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy/The Hindu

A retaining wall gave way near St. Stephen’s Church in Udhagamandalam in the wake of heavy overnight precipitation. The town registered 31.4 mm of rainfall, whereas the Nilgiris district accumulated 214.9 mm. WhatsApp Image 2026-10-21 at 11.26.55.jpeg Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Joint Commissioner (Works) Se. Saravanan conducted an inspection of motor systems and precautionary arrangements at the Rangarajapuram two-wheeler subway located on Parankusapuram Street, Ward 132, Zone 10, designed to prevent water accumulation and facilitate rapid drainage. The Corporation stated that proactive safety measures are ongoing across the metropolis ahead of the Northeast monsoon to avert waterlogging inside subways and safeguard public well-being.

Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand oversaw the clearance operation of a tree that had toppled onto a thoroughfare in T. Nagar and joined the municipal crew in cutting it apart.

Following widespread showers across Greater Chennai Corporation jurisdictions today (October 21, 2026), Mayor R. Priya examined the Gandhi canal situated in Ward 72 within the Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zone. Zonal officer Satheesh alongside other Corporation officials accompanied her during the assessment.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to head a meeting with ministers and bureaucrats at the Secretariat to evaluate preparedness protocols for the Northeast monsoon.

Pedestrians and motorists narrowly escaped danger after a tree crashed across the busy D.B. Road in R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, on Tuesday evening amidst ongoing Northeast monsoon conditions.

A newly developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) is expected to maintain intense precipitation across Tamil Nadu through October 26. Southern and delta districts are anticipated to receive heavier downpours compared to northern districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, via a nowcast released at 10 a.m. on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), issued a warning for light to moderate precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated pockets across 24 Tamil Nadu districts, alongside Karaikal and Puducherry, running until 1 p.m. the same day, while noting potential waterlogging, slick roads, and traffic disruptions in select zones.

The IMD indicated that heavy to very heavy rainfall is projected to persist across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal up to October 26, 2026, driven by an anticipated Low Pressure Area taking shape over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coastline. Furthermore, isolated heavy showers are expected over Kerala and Mahe (October 20-26), South Interior Karnataka (October 21-24), as well as Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema (October 20-21).