Chennai

October 6, 2025 9:58 PM

Indian Coast Guard conducts 10th NATPOLREX-X and 27th NOSDCP off Chennai coast

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully conducted the 10th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-X) along with the 27th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) and Preparedness Meeting off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on October 5-6. The large-scale biennial exercise reaffirmed India’s commitment to safeguarding its marine environment and strengthening inter-agency coordination for effective oil spill management. The event saw participation from 40 foreign...

September 26, 2025 10:42 PM

India ranks among top 3 global suppliers of seafarers: Sarbananda Sonowal highlights maritime sector transformation at IMU Convocation

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday lauded India’s maritime growth, announcing that the country now ranks among the top three global suppliers of trained seafarers with a workforce exceeding three lakh. He was addressing the 10th convocation ceremony of the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai, where 2,196 students graduated. Sonowal highlighted the transformation of India’s maritime sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, no...

July 1, 2025 10:28 AM

India hosts first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai to boost maritime cooperation and tourism

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai on Monday, marking a significant milestone in maritime cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations. Held aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port, the dialogue brought together over 30 delegates from all ten ASEAN countries, along with Timor Leste, to explore ways to enhance cruise connectivity, promote sustainable tourism, and strengthen cultural and ...

June 17, 2025 12:10 PM

Heavy rains to lash several districts in Tamil Nadu

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for several districts in Tamil Nadu, predicting formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The warning comes as persistent rains lash the Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore, triggering multiple incidents of tree falls and mudslides that have kept rescue teams on high alert. According to the RMC, an upper air cyclonic circulation prevailing over the northwest Bay of Bengal is exp...

June 16, 2025 3:06 PM

TN fishing ban ends, boats remain docked as IMD issues alerts

Even though the annual fishing ban period officially ended on June 14, mechanised fishing vessels along the South Tamil Nadu coast are yet to resume operations due to adverse weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of squally winds with speeds ranging from 45 to 55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, expected to persist over the South Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, and the adjoining Comorin region for five days starting from June 14. In response to the al...

June 15, 2025 11:20 AM

Southwest monsoon intensifies, water level rises in key reservoirs in two TN districts

The intensification of the southwest monsoon has brought continuous rainfall to the Western Ghats region, leading to a significant rise in the water levels of key reservoirs in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts. According to Public Works Department (PWD) officials, sustained showers over the past several days have contributed to increased inflow into the region’s main water bodies, notably the Papanasam, Servalar, and Manimuthar reservoirs. The Papanasam reservoir, one of the ...

June 12, 2025 10:16 AM

Orange alert issued for TN’s Ghat region, Nilgiris braces for extremely heavy rain

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for several ghat districts in Tamil Nadu, forecasting intense rainfall between June 13 and 16. The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and adjoining hilly regions are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated areas in the Nilgiris likely to witness extremely heavy downpours exceeding 204.4 mm on June 14 and 15. Authorities have urged residents in these districts to remain alert and take necessary precautions against potent...

November 30, 2024 3:42 PM

Cyclone Fengal moves west-northwestwards; likely to cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts

Cyclone Fengal moved west-northwestwards over the Southwest Bay of Bengal at a speed of 13 km per hour on Saturday afternoon. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported its position at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.9°E, around 120 km north-northeast of Nagapattinam and 420 km north of Trincomalee. The storm is expected to move westwards and cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of ...

November 12, 2024 9:31 AM

Tamil Nadu: Heavy to very heavy rain expected in Chennai, yellow alert for 16 districts from Nov 12

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a yellow alert from Tuesday, November 12, until November 15, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Chennai and 15 other districts in Tamil Nadu. A low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal on Monday is predicted to bring these rains, especially affecting coastal districts. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the weather department explained that the low-pressure system has developed due to cyclonic circulation over ...

October 25, 2024 10:01 PM

Tamil Nadu: 30 students hospitalized after suspected gas leak at Tiruvottiyur school, probe underway

Around 30 students from a school in Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, were hospitalized on Friday after experiencing uneasiness and throat irritation, reportedly due to a gas leak, officials said. The incident triggered panic among students and staff. Authorities confirmed that all affected students are safe and receiving medical treatment. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) commander AK Chauhan said, “As of now, I cannot tell the exact cause.” He added that their team assessed the situation but ...