Parts of Tamil Nadu record 950 mm (37 inches) of rain in 24 hours, India

Parts of Tamil Nadu registered an astonishing 950 mm (37 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours to December 18, 2023.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Monday, December 18, that southern districts of Tamil Nadu have been hit by extremely heavy rainfall, with some stations recording as much as 950 mm (37 inches) in the past 24 hours.

An IMD official stated that the northeast monsoon remains vigorous over southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala, predicting extremely to exceptionally heavy rainfall to continue in these regions until Tuesday.

The IMD has issued a red alert over the southern districts of Tamil Nadu due to a cyclonic circulation present over the Comorin area, along with heavy clouding observed over southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu regions.

This season, Thirunelveli district has recorded 760 mm (29.9 inches) of rainfall, which is 61 percent above the normal. Thoothukudi, on the other hand, has received a normal rainfall of 349 mm (13.7 inches) since October. As of December 17, Tamil Nadu’s northeast season rainfall stands at 396 mm (15.6 inches), considered normal for this time of the year.

In Kerala, heavy rainfall was recorded in the Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram districts during the past 24 hours. Pampadumpara, Vattavada, Kovilkadavu, Myladumpara, and Thattathumala were among the wettest areas in Kerala on Monday.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala typically receive significant rainfall during the winter monsoon from October to December, with nearly 48 percent of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall recorded during these months.

References:

¹ Thoothukudi, Thirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu record 500 – 900 mm rainfall in 24 hours – Indian Express – December 18, 2023

Featured image credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS. Acquired on December 18, 2023