Chennai in the Northeast Monsoon: Planning Your Stay

When is the northeast monsoon in Chennai?

Chennai has two rainy periods, but the one that matters most is the northeast monsoon, which runs from October to December. Wikipedia puts the annual rainfall at about 120 cm and notes that most of it falls in these months. The southwest monsoon, from June to September, brings smaller amounts. March is the driest month.

Not every day in October to December is wet. Many days are warm and humid with an afternoon shower, and others bring steady rain. The trouble is that Chennai's drainage is stretched by heavy bursts, so a few hours of rain can leave low-lying streets under water. That is the pattern to plan for, rather than constant rain.

How bad can it get?

Wikipedia records significant flooding events in 2015 and 2023. In December 2023, Cyclone Michaung brought the airport to a standstill on 4 December due to flooding on the apron and runways, and Nungambakkam recorded around 530 mm of rain between 2 and 4 December. Power was cut in flooded zones as a precaution, and the airport reopened the next day.

Those are extreme events, not typical weeks. But they explain why travellers in these months should keep plans flexible, particularly flights, and should check weather updates from the India Meteorological Department before travelling. Do not treat a forecast of heavy rain lightly, and do not travel during an official cyclone warning if you can postpone.

If you are caught in a spell of heavy rain, the sensible choice is often to stay put. Order in, work from the room and wait for the water to drain, rather than wading through a flooded street.

How does rain affect your day?

The biggest effect is on road travel. Anna Salai carries over 183,000 vehicles a day, according to Wikipedia, so rain on top of that slows everything. Cab availability falls and fares rise. Autos can be hard to find, and a trip that takes 15 minutes on a dry day can take much longer.

This is where the metro helps. The Blue Line runs above and below the road, and Thousand Lights is an underground station, so the train itself is not delayed by flooded streets. The walk to and from the station is the exposed part, which is another reason to stay close. The hotel's own figure is a 3 to 10 minute walk to Thousand Lights Metro.

Rain also affects the small things: the autos you hoped to flag down are occupied, the pavements near the station are slippery and the underpass you meant to use may be waterlogged. Build a ten-minute cushion into every leg.

What should you pack and carry?

A short list covers most needs.

• A compact umbrella, which is more useful than a heavy raincoat in humid weather
• Footwear that dries quickly, and a spare pair of socks
• A waterproof pouch or zip-lock bag for phone, passport and documents
• A power bank, since outages are possible in heavy weather
• Light cotton clothes that dry fast
• A small towel, for the walk from the station

How should you schedule meetings and flights?

Leave generous gaps. If you have a morning meeting, arrive the evening before, since early roads are usually quieter than the evening rush but rain can change that. Keep the afternoon free for the unexpected. For flights, book later departures and avoid tight connections, since delays are common in heavy weather.

Check with your airline before leaving the hotel. The airport is about 21 km from the centre, and a taxi ride is about 50 minutes on a normal day, according to the airport's site, so allow far more when it is raining. The metro runs about 24 minutes to the airport from Thousand Lights, per a route planner, and last departures are around 11 PM, so factor those times in.

Keep your hotel's number saved and tell the desk if your plans change, so staff can hold your bags or adjust your arrival.

Where should you stay during the monsoon?

Choose a base that keeps your walks short and your options open. Hotel Royal Luxe in Thousand Lights West is a short walk from the metro, the US Consulate General, Apollo Hospital and the other central landmarks. It offers air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a lift to all floors and 24-hour reception, so you can arrive late or stay in on a bad day.

If you expect to stay put for a couple of days, the Deluxe Room with Kitchen at Rs 2,500 has a private kitchenette. Queen and Twin rooms are Rs 1,800 for one guest and Rs 2,000 for two. Please reconfirm current rates and taxes at booking. Call or WhatsApp +91 72001 09033 or +91 72001 09077 with your dates and number of guests.