Cyclone looms, but wait for widespread rain continues in Tamil Nadu

IMD forecasts below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures in Tamil Nadu during November. | Photo Credit: M. SRINATH The Bay of Bengal is churning its next cyclonic storm. After the powerful Cyclone Arnab that made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to become a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday.The weather system is likely to reach westcentral Bay of Bengal near south Andhra Pradesh by the early hours of Tuesday.Tamil Nadu, however, may have to wait for its turn of widespread rainfall until November 8.The new weather system would bring isolated heavy rainfall over a few north coastal districts — Cuddalore, Tiruvallur and Villupuram — between Monday and Tuesday.The weather system is likely to be called ‘Murasu’, a name contributed by India to the list of names for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that November rainfall is most likely to be below normal in Tamil Nadu. Rainfall over the entire southern peninsula is likely to be around only 77% of the long period average of 118.7 mm.Addressing a virtual media briefing on Saturday, IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said southern States, including Tamil Nadu, are likely to experience above normal maximum and minimum temperatures in November. He noted that very strong El Nino conditions are likely to prevail during November and December.27% rainfall surplusTamil Nadu ended October with a 27% rainfall surplus despite a prolonged dry spell that had shrunk monsoon surplus.Rainfall over the monsoon core zones in southern States this October was the ninth lowest since 2001, according to the IMD.V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said that with Cyclone Arnab losing its strength, northeasterly winds are gradually returning to Tamil Nadu and this would bring light to moderate rainfall, particularly over north Tamil Nadu and interior districts till November 3.Fog and mist were recorded at the Tiruchi Airport in the early morning hours of Saturday and visibility had decreased to 800 metres around 7 a.m. Similar foggy or mist-like conditions were observed over parts of interior Tamil Nadu, particularly in areas located close to waterbodies, during the early hours.The prolonged clear-sky conditions prevailing over most parts of Tamil Nadu, especially north and interior parts, during the past few days led to enhanced nocturnal radiational cooling, resulting in a fall in minimum temperatures. Cyclone Arnab also contributed to clear skies. However, return of seasonal winds would help revive monsoon rainfall of light or moderate intensity for the next few days. Published - November 01, 2026 12:26 am IST