CHENNAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the onset of the northeast monsoon over south peninsular India on Thursday, forecasting normal rainfall for Tamil Nadu overall, with regional variations.V R Durai, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, said northern districts might receive below-normal rainfall, while southern districts might get normal to above-normal rainfall. Coastal districts are expected to receive normal rainfall.Tamil Nadu receives an average 45cm rainfall during the northeast monsoon, around 48% of the annual rainfall. Chennai receives 87cm, around 60% of the annual rainfall.Daytime temperatures may remain above normal under the influence of El Niño, the IMD official said.Durai said Tamil Nadu recorded a 21% rainfall deficit during the June-September southwest monsoon season, making 2026 the state’s third most deficient year since 2006. The deficit was 45% in 2022 and 23% in 2012.
