Chennai and its surrounding districts are set to experience significant rainfall over the weekend as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal moves towards northern Sri Lanka. The system, currently positioned about 590km south-southeast of the city, is projected to influence weather across multiple coastal and inland areas, affecting urban mobility, infrastructure, and day-to-day life.
The city and suburbs, including Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram, have been placed under a yellow alert for rainfall accumulation ranging from 6 to 12 centimetres over 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, delta districts such as Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore face an orange alert, indicating very heavy rainfall of 12–20 centimetres. Urban planners and local authorities are monitoring drainage systems and low-lying areas to mitigate potential waterlogging, particularly in densely built zones where impermeable surfaces exacerbate flood risk.Meteorological forecasts indicate that Chennai will experience cloudy skies and intermittent moderate to heavy showers over the weekend. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 27–28°C, while nights will remain warm at approximately 24°C. Heavy rainfall over coastal districts including Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Ramanathapuram is anticipated on Saturday, with northern districts absorbing most of the rainfall by Sunday. Urban mobility could be disrupted, especially for public transport networks and peripheral suburbs with limited stormwater infrastructure.
Experts note that while the deep depression is classified as a rare event for this time of year, its anticipated weakening after crossing northern Sri Lanka should limit prolonged impacts. However, the intermittent showers could still strain urban drainage, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive municipal response. From a climate resilience perspective, the event underscores the importance of integrated urban water management and green infrastructure in reducing vulnerability in coastal cities.Industry observers emphasise that such weather systems, even if short-lived, have broader implications for construction schedules, real estate operations, and local commerce. Businesses and developers in flood-prone zones are advised to review contingency measures, particularly for ongoing projects in low-lying suburbs.
Authorities are expected to maintain regular advisories through the weekend, while urban residents are encouraged to monitor alerts and avoid travel through waterlogged roads. Looking ahead, isolated rain spells may continue into Monday, although the intensity is likely to diminish significantly.
