Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Senyar May Form

When the India Meteorological Department issued its morning bulletin at 08:08 IST on November 23, it didn’t just warn of rain—it sounded an alarm for life and livelihood. A low-pressure system brewing over the South Andaman Sea is expected to intensify into Cyclone Senyar by November 25, unleashing torrential downpours, gale-force winds, and dangerous sea conditions across southern India. The storm’s shadow already stretched from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to the coastal belts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, with schools shuttered, fishermen grounded, and tourists stranded. This isn’t just another monsoon spell. It’s a system with teeth—and it’s gaining strength.

What’s Brewing Over the Bay of Bengal?

The India Meteorological Department confirmed a low-pressure area forming over the South Andaman Sea on November 22, with satellite imagery showing organized convection and increasing wind shear. By November 24, it’s forecast to become a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, then intensify into a cyclonic storm—dubbed Cyclone Senyar—as it moves west-northwest toward the southwest Bay. The system’s trajectory is still uncertain, but models suggest it could make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast or veer northward toward Andhra Pradesh. Either way, the impact will be severe.

What makes this system dangerous isn’t just its potential wind speed—up to 65 kmph by November 25—but the sheer volume of rain. The IMD predicts 105 to 204 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours over isolated pockets. That’s more than eight inches of water falling in a single day. In the Nicobar Islands, rainfall could exceed 250 mm over four days, triggering landslides and flash floods. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are already under an orange alert, meaning residents should expect thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds that can topple trees and power lines.

Where the Rain Is Falling Hardest

Tamil Nadu is the epicenter of concern. Sixteen districts—Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore—are bracing for very heavy rainfall. In Tirunelveli and Tenkasi, the Thamirabarani River catchment saw record runoff on November 22, with water levels rising faster than drainage systems could handle.

Even the sacred isn’t spared. In Tiruchendur, heavy rain flooded the Murugan Temple complex, with water draining into the sea and eroding the shoreline. Locals described it as "unprecedented"—a sign, some said, that nature was sending a message.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam, is also under threat. Winds are expected to hit 40-50 kmph, with gusts pushing 60 kmph near the coast. The IMD issued an orange alert for the region, warning of possible power outages and road closures. Meanwhile, Kerala and Mahe are seeing heavy showers on November 23-24, and Lakshadweep faces rough seas and localized flooding.

Education, Tourism, and Daily Life Disrupted

Schools and colleges across ten Tamil Nadu districts have shut down. In Ramanathapuram, Kallakurichi, and Thoothukudi, students stayed home. In Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, even colleges closed—a rare move, usually reserved for extreme events like floods or epidemics. Parents scrambled to rearrange work schedules. One mother in Madurai told me: "I didn’t know whether to send my daughter to her tuition or keep her indoors. The rain was already coming down like a drumbeat." Tourists are another group caught off guard. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a top winter destination, but now Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) are under strict advisories. Ferry services have been suspended. Hotels are offering refunds. One Australian couple stranded in Havelock said they’d planned a week-long dive trip. "Now we’re stuck inside, watching the waves crash against the balcony," she said. "We didn’t even know a cyclone was coming."

What Experts Are Saying

Dr. Anil Kumar, a senior climatologist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, noted: "This system is developing unusually fast. The sea surface temperatures in the southeast Bay of Bengal are 1.5°C above average, which gives cyclones extra fuel. We’re seeing a pattern similar to Cyclone Gaja in 2018—but with more moisture." He added that while the system may not make direct landfall, its outer bands will still bring destructive rainfall inland.

The IMD’s forecast for November 25 is critical: a new low-pressure area may form near Comorin and Sri Lanka, feeding moisture into the system. But here’s the silver lining: after November 25, the cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves over cooler waters and encounters stronger upper-level winds. Rainfall should taper off by November 27, offering a window for recovery and travel.

What Comes Next?

Authorities are now rushing to clear drainage systems, deploy emergency teams, and prepare relief camps. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned teams in Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Port Blair. Fishermen have been ordered not to venture out until November 27. Power utilities are preparing for outages, and hospitals are stocking up on medicines.

What’s still unclear? Whether Cyclone Senyar will reach Category 1 strength (winds over 119 kmph) or remain a moderate cyclonic storm. The IMD says it’s too early to say—but they’re monitoring it every 90 minutes. What’s certain is that this system will leave a mark—not just in rainfall totals, but in the lives of those who live where the sea meets the land.