Chennai, 25 Oct 2026: Tamil Nadu is bracing for another spell of intense rainfall as the North-East monsoon gains strength and a well-marked lowpressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26, according to the Meteorological Department.
The system, the second successive low-pressure formation over the Bay, was expected to intensify into a depression and subsequently a deep depression before developing into a cyclonic storm named 'Arnab', a name suggested by Bangla desh, over the West-C entral Bay of Bengal. In its latest update, the Meteorological Department said the well-marked low-pressure area lay over the east-central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 a.m. on Saturday.
It was likely to intensify further and move West-North-Westwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, reaching the west-central Bay around the morning of October 28.
With successive weather systems strengthening the Northeast monsoon, several parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly the southern districts, Cuddalore and the Western Ghats, have been experiencing heavy rainfall. Coastal districts in the south have also reported intense showers. The persistent rain has triggered landslips at several locations on the ghat roads leading to Kodaikanal and Udhagamandalam, causingtra ff i c congestion during the weekend tourist rush.
In view of the continuing rainfall and landslips, the Dindigul and Nilgiris district administrations have advised tourists to avoid visiting Kodai kanal and Ooty, respec tively, until October 26.
Landslips were also reported on the Mettu palayam Ooty road. Several students from Kerala who had travelled to Ooty were stranded near landslip-hit stretches but were rescued safely by Fire and Rescue Services personnel.
Me an while , Chennai and its suburbs largely remained dry, apart from occasional showers in some areas on Friday night. However, rainfall activity over the city could increase as the weather system intensifies. The Meteo rological Department has fore cast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several Districts, with the evolving system likely to influence weather conditions across Tamil Nadu over the coming days.