The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Sunday, November 8. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are also expected in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
Kerala and Mahe, along with Lakshadweep, are likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall during November 7 and 8. Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast over Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and the weather office has said the rain could be accompanied by strong winds.
The forecast covers a wide stretch of south India. Isolated to scattered rainfall is expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Sunday. Coastal Karnataka may receive isolated to scattered rainfall on November 8 and 9, while south interior Karnataka is likely to see showers during November 7 to 13.
Winds gusting to 50 kmph
Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, with speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph and gusting to 50 kmph, are likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, and Lakshadweep. The weather office has advised people in the affected areas to stay indoors during thunderstorms and to avoid sheltering under trees.
The rainfall is linked to a trough in easterly winds extending from the southeast Arabian Sea towards south interior Karnataka, which is drawing moisture into the region and helping cloud formation. Heavy rain at isolated places was already observed over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal in the 24 hours to Sunday morning.
Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during November 7 to 10, and over Kerala and Mahe during November 7 and 8. The rain is expected to continue in parts of the south through the week, with activity likely until November 13.
Dry weather in the north on Diwali
While the south braces for rain, no significant weather activity is likely over west and central India during the coming week, according to the forecast. Delhi and Noida are likely to remain dry on Diwali, which will come as a relief to revellers but means the city’s smog will have little rain to wash it away.
North India will largely stay dry, with temperatures gradually decreasing as the week progresses. The contrast between the rainy south and the dry north is typical of this time of year, when the northeast monsoon brings rain to the southern peninsula while the rest of the country cools down.
For Kerala, the rain comes after the state issued heavy rain alerts for seven districts. The weather office has said Kerala and Mahe may also witness thunderstorms and lightning between November 9 and 11, so the wet spell is not ending on Sunday.
What to watch
People travelling in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Sunday should expect wet roads and possible delays, especially in low-lying areas where waterlogging is common during heavy spells. Fishermen and those working outdoors have been advised to follow local weather updates through the day.
The forecast will be updated through the day as the rain bands move. The weather office issues its forecast and warning for any day from 8.30 am of that day till 8.30 am of the next day, so Sunday’s warning runs till Monday morning.
