The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm, while nine districts and the Union Territory regions of Puducherry and Karaikal have been placed under an orange alert. The warnings raise immediate concerns over landslides in hilly areas, waterlogging and travel disruption across vulnerable parts of the state.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, Nilgiris is expected to receive more than 204.4 mm of rainfall. The red alert indicates the highest level of concern in the forecast and covers a district where steep terrain can increase the risk of slope failures and road disruption during intense rain.
An orange alert has been issued for Coimbatore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam. Puducherry and Karaikal are also under the orange alert, with rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm expected in these areas.
The forecast covers both inland and coastal locations with different exposure to heavy rain. The districts of Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam include low-lying and coastal areas where intense rainfall can affect roads, drainage systems and local movement. District administrations have been asked to take precautionary measures against possible waterlogging and landslides.
A yellow alert has been issued for Tiruvallur, Chennai, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruppur, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Kanniyakumari. These districts are expected to receive between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm of rainfall.
The forecast also calls for moderate rainfall of 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm in Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli. Puducherry and Karaikal, which are separately included in the orange alert, are likely to see heavier conditions than this moderate-rainfall belt.
Residents in vulnerable areas, particularly hilly parts of Nilgiris and low-lying coastal regions, have been advised to follow official weather updates and avoid unnecessary travel in districts under red and orange alerts. The precaution is intended to reduce exposure to hazardous road conditions, flooding and possible landslides while local authorities prepare for the forecast rainfall.
The immediate response now rests with district administrations, which have been asked to implement precautionary measures against waterlogging and landslides. Residents are advised to monitor official updates as the rainfall warning remains in force.
