Weather Today, October 20: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala & Karnataka on rain alert; IMD warns of very heavy showers, thunderstorms & gusty winds

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across several southern states over the coming days, with Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal likely to receive isolated very heavy rainfall till October 21. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh, according to the IMD's weather bulletin. The weather department has warned of continued rainfall activity across southern India between October 20 and October 25, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely in several areas. Kerala and Mahe are expected to experience heavy rainfall throughout the period, while parts of Karnataka could see increased rainfall activity from October 21.

The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal between October 22 and October 25. Meanwhile, a low-pressure system over the southwest Arabian Sea could intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours.

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IMD weather forecast: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal rainfall alert

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to experience continued rainfall between October 20 and October 25, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected on October 20 and 21.

The IMD has also forecast isolated heavy rainfall in these areas between October 22 and October 25. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts of up to 60 kmph, are likely during the period.

The weather department has advised people to remain alert to local weather updates as rainfall activity continues across the region.

Kerala weather forecast: Heavy rain likely till October 25

Kerala and Mahe are likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall between October 20 and October 25, according to the IMD.

Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast throughout the period, while thunderstorms and lightning are likely between October 21 and October 23. Gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, are also expected on October 20, followed by a possibility of stronger gusts during the subsequent days.

The forecast indicates sustained rainfall activity across Kerala over the coming week.

Karnataka weather forecast: Heavy rainfall warning for south interior districts

Rainfall activity is expected to increase across parts of Karnataka from October 21 onwards.

The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over south interior Karnataka between October 21 and October 24. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in the region during the same period.

Coastal Karnataka is expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 23 and 24, with isolated to scattered rainfall forecast on October 20-22 and October 25.

North interior Karnataka could experience isolated to scattered rainfall between October 22 and October 24. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are also likely across parts of the state.

The IMD has forecast gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, over north interior Karnataka on October 22 and 23 and south interior Karnataka between October 21 and October 23.

Andhra Pradesh weather forecast: Rain likely till October 21

Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall between October 20 and October 25, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast till October 21.

Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts of up to 60 kmph, are likely on October 20 and 21. Strong surface winds are also forecast over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam during the period.

Rayalaseema is expected to receive isolated to scattered rainfall between October 20 and October 25. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over the region on October 21, along with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, between October 20 and October 23.

Telangana is likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall till October 21, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds also expected during this period.

Lakshadweep weather forecast: Heavy rain expected from October 22

Lakshadweep is likely to experience fairly widespread to widespread rainfall between October 20 and October 25, according to the IMD.

Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast between October 22 and October 25. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, are likely on October 20, followed by the possibility of stronger gusts between October 21 and October 23.

The IMD has also issued a fishermen warning for the Lakshadweep area and along and off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts between October 22 and October 24.

Arabian Sea low-pressure system may intensify into depression

The IMD said a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Arabian Sea persisted over the same region on October 19. The system could intensify marginally into a depression within the next 24 hours.

It is likely to move initially west-north-westwards before turning south-westwards towards the Somalia coast over the following two to three days.

Separately, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the north Tamil Nadu coast, and an associated trough are influencing weather conditions over parts of southern India.

The IMD has also identified other weather systems, including a Western Disturbance over Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Punjab, a cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Thailand and its neighbourhood, and another circulation over south-east Bangladesh and adjoining Tripura.

IMD weather forecast for eastern India

The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between October 20 and October 25.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over the islands on October 20 and again between October 23 and October 25. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, are also forecast on October 20.

Odisha could receive isolated to scattered rainfall till October 22, while Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall on October 20, according to the bulletin.

No significant weather is expected across north-western, central, western and north-eastern India during the forecast week, the IMD said.

IMD fishermen warning for Arabian Sea

The weather department has issued a warning for fishermen operating in parts of the Arabian Sea.

Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the south-west Arabian Sea and adjoining sea areas between October 20 and October 22. A warning is also in place along and off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and over the Lakshadweep area between October 22 and October 24.