As the name suggests, the clouds clear up, and the humidity levels drop when there is an anticyclone. The formation of anticyclone in the north is crucial for the northeast monsoon to set in. Karnataka has also recorded a 62% excess rainfall at 180 mm. On the other hand, Kerala has registered a whopping 524 mm rainfall this month-more than double the norm of 242 mm for this time of the year. This week, more rains are forecast, widening this pre-existing lead for the season. This month, Tamil Nadu has already registered 178 mm rainfall compared to its long-term average of 133 mm- 33% above normal. The winter or northeast monsoon gives the state nearly half of its annual rainfall. Northeast monsoonīeing in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu gets only 35% of its annual rainfall from the southwest monsoon. On October 15 and 16, Kerala witnessed extremely heavy rains, followed by flash floods and landslides that killed more than 40 people. Evening rain and thunderstorms are a possibility for the city, especially between Tuesday and Thursday. The state is under a ‘yellow watch’ from Wednesday onwards, meaning ‘be updated’.Ĭhennai has started to witness light rains and cloudy skies already and is likely to witness similar conditions throughout this week. The orange alert is the second-highest weather alert in the country, which means the residents and authorities must ‘be prepared’ for adverse weather conditions. The IMD has placed an orange alert over Tamil Nadu for Monday and Tuesday due to the possibility of isolated very heavy rain. Another cyclonic circulation will move westward over the southeast Bay of Bengal and drench Tamil Nadu till Friday with widespread rain with isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms. Orange alert for Tamil NaduĪ cyclonic circulation lies near the Kerala coast on Monday morning and is likely to affect the region. Last year also, the southwest monsoons withdrew only by October 28. Over the last few years, both these seasonal phenomena have been delayed repeatedly. Normally, the southwest monsoon withdraws from India by October 15, while the northeast monsoon sets in by October 20. In 2005, the city had received its highest ever rain in recorded history for October at a whopping 1,078mm. For example, in October 2016, Chennai received a mere 22 mm of rain, while in October 2012, it received 423 mm. Being a transition month, October remains a highly variable month for southern states in terms of total rainfall. Also known as the retreating monsoon, this season is wildly unpredictable. Over the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon will retreat from the Indian mainland, and simultaneously, northeast monsoons will set foot over southern peninsular India, forecasts India Meteorological Department (IMD).Ī large portion of southern India depends on the northeast monsoon, which is vital for the region’s water security. However, the southernmost states are gearing up for yet another season of depressions, cyclones, and heavy rains. October 25, Monday: With the monsoons withdrawn from three-fourth of the country, the northern half of India is preparing for harsh winters.