Tamil Nadu weather forecast: Heavy rain likely in several districts, flood alert issued in Madurai

According to a statement by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, light thunderstorms with light to moderate rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, Karur, Madurai, Tenkasi, Theni, Thoothukkudi, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, and Virudhunagar.

“Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore districts as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal,” the latest weather bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) read.

Orange alert issued along coastal areas

An orange alert has been issued in Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore districts, Puducherry, and Karaikal. These regions are on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. A yellow alert is in place for the southern, south-eastern and northeastern coasts of the state.

“Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Theni, and Dindigul districts,” the bulletin further read.

A rainfall of 2.5mm-15.5mm in 24 hours is classified as light rain, whereas rainfall of 15.6-64.4mm is categorised as ‘moderate’. If the 24-hour average rainfall is between 64.5 and 115.5 mm, it is classified as ‘heavy rain’. The rainfall is classified as ‘very heavy’ if  it is over 115.6mm and below 204.4 mm. Anything above 204.5 is categorised as ‘extreme’.

VIDEO | Madurai, Tamil Nadu: A fresh spell of light rain lashes parts of the city.#MaduraiRain #WeatherUpdate

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/fg4DOTcOZe

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2025

Rain is forecast across various districts throughout the week. A flood alert has been issued in Madurai as water level of the Vaigai River surges following heavy rain, reported news agency PTI.

VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: A flood alert has been issued in Madurai as water level of the Vaigai River surges following heavy rain.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/6SMvXpyggf

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2025

Chennai Weather Forecast

Chennai is likely to be hit by heavy rainfall again on Tuesday. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 31°C while the minimum temperature in and around the city is forecast to hover around 25°C.

Are schools closed in Tamil Nadu today?

All government schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday (October 21), along with government offices and public sector undertakings across Tamil Nadu. However, the holiday is not for the rain; it is related to Diwali.

“In view of the Deepavali festival on 20.10.2025, many students, government employees, teachers and staff working in government-aided institutions would be travelling to their hometowns and returning thereafter. Considering their welfare, the Government of Tamil Nadu has announced that all government offices, government-aided institutions, schools, colleges and educational institutions across Tamil Nadu will be given a holiday on 21.10.2025 for one day. This holiday will be compensated by declaring 25.10.2025 as a working day,” a press release from the government read.