Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit various parts of Chennai and its suburbs on Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, particularly affecting areas like Ponneri, Minjur, and Pulicat. This unexpected downpour brought a much-needed respite from the sweltering heat that had gripped the city in recent days.
By noon, heavy rainfall was also reported in Avadi and surrounding areas, while early morning showers had already drenched several localities, including Anna Nagar, Egmore, Vepery, and Kolathur. According to reports from Thanthi TV, the gusty winds accompanying the rain caused significant difficulties for motorists, leading to traffic congestion across the city.
In one incident, strong winds tore down an advertisement banner, which fell onto a power line, disrupting electricity supply in the neighborhood. As a result of the turbulent weather conditions, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai issued forecasts predicting light to moderate rainfall across nine districts of Tamil Nadu until 1 PM that day.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also confirmed that light to moderate rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning, was expected in various locations throughout Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. This forecast indicated that residents could expect relief from the heat, with maximum temperatures in Chennai projected to be between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius.
Chennai Rains, a weather-focused social media account, shared a video showcasing the heavy rain, emphasizing the poor visibility conditions and urging drivers to exercise caution. A user on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressed relief at the rain, stating, "It’s finally raining in Chennai after days of hot sun. Such a big relief! The weather is cool now, and the rain makes everything feel fresh and nice. Summer feels a bit kinder today. Hope it keeps raining for a while."
Weather blogger Pradeep John characterized the rainfall as a rare April thunderstorm, recalling a similar event that occurred on April 15, 2015, when the city experienced a cloudburst and recorded 100 mm of rain. As of Wednesday, parts of Chennai had already accumulated around that same amount of rainfall.
In light of the severe weather conditions, the IMD issued an orange alert for Chennai and surrounding districts, warning of moderate to severe thunderstorms and lightning. Meanwhile, districts like Salem and Dharmapuri were placed under a yellow alert, indicating the potential for lighter thunderstorms and rain.
Traffic disruptions were reported throughout the city, with some areas experiencing significant waterlogging. The IMD advised residents to take precautions due to the thunderstorms and lightning warnings, recommending that people avoid unnecessary travel.
Air travel was also affected, as an Air India flight from Mumbai to Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru due to the inclement weather. Flight AI2729, which was scheduled to land at 11 AM, was unable to do so because of the heavy rainfall in the region. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Bengaluru, and no flight delays were reported.
The rains were attributed to deep convection caused by the convergence of westerly winds and easterly winds from the sea. P. Senthamarai Kannan, Director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre in Chennai, noted that these rains could last for several hours, depending on the availability of moisture and wind conditions.
Looking ahead, the IMD forecasted that Chennai would maintain partly cloudy skies with a maximum temperature of 97°F. The weather department indicated that light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder was likely to continue throughout Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
As the rains provided relief from the intense heat, many residents welcomed the change in weather, expressing hope that the precipitation would continue. The IMD also predicted a gradual increase in temperatures over the next few days, with some areas experiencing a rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius.
Overall, the unexpected rainfall on April 16, 2025, not only brought relief from the heat but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of weather patterns in Chennai. With the IMD's alerts in place, residents are reminded to stay informed and prepared for any further weather developments.
