September in Point Calimere continues the closure. The SW monsoon tail brings 100-150mm; the lagoon water levels rise toward 40-50 percent of NE-monsoon peak capacity. Daytime 26-31C, humidity 78 percent. The dry-grassland zone returns to fully-leafed scrub. The Forest Department conducts pre-reopening surveys late September — lagoon-level checks, jeep-safari road condition assessments, infrastructure inspections. The migratory waterbird population remains at northern breeding grounds. The NE monsoon arrives mid-to-late October; the sanctuary typically reopens for visitors in early November once the migratory flamingo arrival commences and the lagoon water level reaches 70-85 percent capacity. Cyclone watch on the Coromandel coast begins from October 1 — IMD monitors Bay of Bengal lows. For Cauvery-delta birders, Pulicat Lake (year-round flamingo presence) holds its September population. The sanctuary reopens early November.

Why September scores 2.0/10