The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for several districts of Tamil Nadu, warning of intense showers in at least ten districts, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai, and Virudhunagar on Friday. The weather conditions have been attributed to a shift in the speed of easterly winds, which triggered rainfall across multiple regions of the state on Thursday night. Several areas, including Senthamangalam, Mangudi, Kamalapuram, Vadapadhimangalam, and Adiyakkamangalam, experienced moderate showers, marking the beginning of a wet spell. IMD has also forecasted that coastal and interior parts of Tamil Nadu, along with Puducherry and Karaikal, may witness moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning on Friday. Chennai city is also expected to receive moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
The IMD has further predicted that heavy rain will continue in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram districts on Saturday as well. The persistent rainfall has raised concerns among farmers, particularly in the delta districts, where the harvest season is currently at its peak. Reports indicate that water has started accumulating in paddy procurement centres, creating difficulties for farmers who are struggling to store their harvested produce safely. One such affected centre is in Okai Peraiyur under Koothanallur taluk of Tiruvarur district, where a temporary shed is being used for paddy storage. Farmers have voiced their concerns over inadequate storage facilities, demanding that a permanent structure be built to protect their yield from rain-related damage.
Taking stock of the situation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin convened a video conference from the Secretariat in Chennai with District Collectors of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Pudukkottai. During the meeting, he directed officials to take immediate measures to prevent any damage to the procured paddy bundles due to rainfall. The state administration has been instructed to ensure that waterlogging in agricultural areas is addressed promptly and that relief measures are put in place to minimize losses faced by farmers.
As heavy rainfall continues to impact several districts, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and take necessary precautions. The state government is closely monitoring the situation and may deploy additional relief measures if weather conditions deteriorate further.
