Rain Alert: Heavy Downpours to Flood Major Cities—When, Where & Safety Tips

South India on High Alert as IMD Warns of Extremely Heavy Rainfall The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed eight districts of Tamil Nadu and three districts of Kerala under a red alert for Wednesday, 22 October 2025, forecasting “extremely heavy rain” exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours. The warning follows the rapid intensification of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal that could evolve into a cyclonic storm before moving northwest toward the Indian coast. Key impact zones • Tamil Nadu: Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tirupattur, and Kallakurichi districts are expected to see rainfall above 200 mm, with localized flash floods possible. • Kerala: Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts have been flagged for landslide risk as saturated hillsides could give way after several days of continuous showers. • Puducherry and Karaikal: Coastal enclaves may experience storm-surge heights of 0.5–0.8 m at high tide, prompting local authorities to restrict beach access. Closures and advisories • Schools and colleges in Chennai, Puducherry, and across all red-alert districts remain closed today; officials will review the situation daily before resuming classes. • Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal until at least 24 October due to expected wind speeds of 55–65 km/h, gusting to 75 km/h. • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned 12 teams across Tamil Nadu and Kerala for swift water-rescue operations. Travel and commuting Chennai International Airport reported 14 flight delays this morning after visibility dropped to 1,000 m. Southern Railway has cancelled eight suburban services between Tambaram and Chengalpattu; travelers should check live updates before heading to stations. What to expect next Meteorologists project that the deep depression could cross the coast south of Puducherry late tonight, weakening rapidly over land. However, the interaction with warm Bay of Bengal waters means convection will stay active, keeping the risk of intense cloudbursts through Thursday. Preparedness tips • Monitor official IMD bulletins every three hours. • Avoid low-lying roads that commonly flood, especially Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) and GST Road in Chennai. • Stock essentials for 48 hours, including drinking water, batteries, and prescription medications. • Charge mobile devices; power cuts are likely during peak gusts. SEO keywords: heavy rain today, IMD red alert, Tamil Nadu weather update, Kerala monsoon rain, Chennai school holiday, Bay of Bengal cyclone, extreme rainfall warning.