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As the Northeast monsoon strengthens over Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert along with warnings of heavy rainfall for several districts including Chennai.
Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Director Dr B Amudha said a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked system, located about 400 km from Chennai. The system may strengthen into a depression near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh by October 23.
The latest IMD bulletin read: “Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at a few places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam districts, and Karaikal area.” “Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri and Pudukkottai districts.”
The simultaneous strengthening of related systems is creating a volatile weather scenario across the state.
Orange alert in Chennai
The IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rains in Chennai and several coastal districts today and tomorrow. According to the weather department, heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning are likely, which may cause waterlogging and disruption in Chennai and other low-lying areas.
As per the IMD, extremely heavy rain may occur at a few places in Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai districts, and Puducherry.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam districts, and Karaikal. Isolated heavy rain is likely over Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, and Pudukkottai.
Cyclone alert in Tamil Nadu: Schools closed in Chennai and other districts
In view of the persistent downpour, Chennai district administration announced that all schools will remain closed on Wednesday. Similar orders have been issued in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, and Trichy, where both schools and colleges will stay shut.
In Thoothukudi, only schools will be closed, while Salem and Pudukottai have declared holidays for schools. The administrations of Puducherry and Karaikal have also closed educational institutions due to the continuing heavy rain.
