Monsoon wet spell pauses in Tamil Nadu; revival expected from November 1
• Tamil Nadu is experiencing a temporary pause in the Northeast monsoon, with rainfall tapering off across most parts of the State. While isolated moderate rainfall is expected in southern and Western Ghats districts, dry weather is likely to dominate until November
• The State has recorded 21.5 cm of rainfall so far, which is 58% above the monthly average. Cyclonic storm Arnab is intensifying and expected to make landfall near Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday, drawing moisture away from Tamil Nadu. This shift is causing winds to change from seasonal northeasterly to dry westerly or northwesterly. A fresh cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal is forecast to revive monsoon activity in Tamil Nadu from November 1.
Impact & Risks
The temporary dry spell may lead to warmer weather in northern Tamil Nadu, with temperatures expected to rise by 2-3°C between October 28 and 30. The lack of widespread rainfall could impact agricultural activities reliant on monsoon moisture. Concerns have also been raised about Chennai's ageing S-band radar, which is under repair, potentially affecting disaster preparedness. However, alternative monitoring tools like X-band radar and satellite observations are available to mitigate risks.
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