Tamil Nadu Schools CLOSED amid heavy rainfall

Authorities decided to shut schools as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff amid heavy rainfall received by various parts of Tamil Nadu. 

In response to heavy rainfall starting Wednesday night, schools across various districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur, have been closed for the day. According to various media reports, this closure extends to 12 additional districts that have been severely impacted by the rains. Authorities decided to shut schools as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The heavy rains, caused by a well-marked low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, led to significant precipitation across the state. North and Central Chennai saw the highest rainfall, with certain areas reporting over 7 cm of rain in the 24 hours preceding 6 a.m. on Thursday. In particular, Kolathur recorded 8.5 cm, while Nerkundram saw 7.9 cm of rainfall. Other affected areas in the city, such as Tondiarpet, Perambur, Madhavaram, and Basin Bridge, also experienced heavy downpours.

Rainfall Data from Chennai Corporation

According to data from the Chennai Corporation, the average rainfall recorded across the city was 5.3 cm. Some zones in North and Central Chennai, however, saw even higher amounts of precipitation, further underlining the intensity of the rain system affecting the region.

IMD's Rain Forecast for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for moderate to heavy rainfall, with intense spells likely in several districts, including Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai. This forecast is valid until 10 a.m. Thursday. The IMD also highlighted that the low-pressure system causing these rains is expected to weaken after Thursday, though sporadic rainfall could continue for several more days.

TN School Closures in Puducherry

In Puducherry, local authorities also declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on Thursday due to heavy rainfall predictions. Home Minister A. Namassivayam confirmed the closure following the continuous intermittent rain on Wednesday. The Puducherry district administration is keeping a close watch on weather updates from the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, with plans to implement necessary safety measures depending on the forecast's evolution.

Tamil Nadu's Rainfall and Safety Alerts

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has raised an orange alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam due to the continuing heavy rainfall. Chennai and its surrounding areas are expected to face intense downpours as the low-pressure system moves across the region.

Although the current system is not anticipated to intensify into a cyclone, Tamil Nadu has already experienced 14% excess rainfall during the northeast monsoon season. Chennai alone has received 16% above-average rainfall, contributing to the already saturated conditions in many areas.

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