The northeast monsoon reached the southern peninsula on 16 October, close to its climatological date (around 20 October ±7 days). For rain-dependent districts of Tamil Nadu and the coastal and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, this is welcome news. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected “above normal” seasonal rain—about 112% of the long-period average.

What is the Northeast Monsoon?

• Timing & Winds: October–December rainy season over southeast peninsular India. Low-level northeasterly winds blow from land to sea, pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal, and return as rain—mainly to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south coastal and Rayalaseema Andhra Pradesh, parts of Kerala, south interior Karnataka, and Lakshadweep (often into early January).
• Rain Makers: Easterly waves, low-pressure areas, depressions, and cyclones over the Bay; intensity varies with El Niño, La Niña, and Indian Ocean Dipole.
• Importance: Supplies ~48% of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall and >30% for coastal Andhra Pradesh; crucial for filling tanks, wells, and rabi crops.
• Risks: Urban floods, cyclone winds, storm surge along the Coromandel coast.
• Monitoring: IMD issues daily forecasts; States use rule curves and flood-warning systems for reservoir management.

Why This Burst Matters

• Critical for paddy, pulses, groundnut, cotton, and groundwater recharge.
• Bay of Bengal typically spawns three or more cyclonic disturbances each season, which bring rain but also risks of high winds and tidal flooding.

Risk Lens for Cities and Farms

• Urban Flooding: Rising cloudburst frequency over the Bay threatens low-lying wards in Chennai and other coastal cities.
• Fertiliser Logistics: States flagged urea shortages; Union Ministry raised October allocations (~36.65 lakh tonnes last year) to stabilise supply.
• Reservoir Operations: Tamil Nadu is rolling out real-time flood forecasting for Chennai’s lakes to time releases and avoid sudden inundation.

Government Priorities

• Clean and widen storm-water drains, restore temple tanks and watercourses; enforce no-dumping municipal norms.
• Operate reservoirs using rule curves and hourly dashboards; coordinate PWD, municipal bodies, and police via Disaster Management Act framework.
• Fast-track crop advisories (Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa), post-flood input support, and insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
• Mark and evacuate high-risk coastal stretches; pre-position NDRF and State teams.

Key Terms

• Retreating/Northeast Monsoon: October–December winds that pick up moisture from Bay of Bengal.
• Long-period Average: Historical mean rainfall over 30 years.
• Rule Curve: Pre-set reservoir water levels to guide operation.
• Urban Flood Hotspot: Low-lying areas prone to inundation.

Exam Hook – Takeaways

Same winds that fill farm ponds can swamp cities. Blend forecast-based releases, clean drains, and timely farm inputs to turn a good monsoon into real gains.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements about the northeast monsoon:

1. It mainly brings rain to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of coastal and Rayalaseema Andhra Pradesh during October–December.
2. The rainfall is driven largely by systems over the Bay of Bengal even though the low-level winds blow from land to sea.
3. It contributes a larger share of annual rainfall to Tamil Nadu than the southwest monsoon.

Answer: All three are correct.

One-Line Wrap

Celebrate the timely rain—but pair it with smart drainage, dam discipline, and farm support so the northeast monsoon feeds fields, not floods.