Heavy rain forces school closures in five Tamil Nadu districts

Schools in five districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, were shut on Wednesday October 21 after the Regional Meteorological Centre recorded intense rain across the city. The Meenambakkam weather station logged 12 cm of rain by 6 a.m., while Nungambakkam saw 11 cm, Taramani 10 cm, Madhavaram 9 cm and both Villivakkam and Nandanam 8 cm. Collectors of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts issued the holiday order, and Ranipet district followed suit. District authorities said the heavy downpour made travel unsafe and many schools could not guarantee safe attendance. Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand visited water‑logged streets in his T. Nagar assembly constituency and ordered the use of motor pumps to clear stagnant water. He blamed ongoing Metro Rail construction for worsening water stagnation in parts of T. Nagar. The Regional Meteorological Centre warned that a fresh system over the Bay of Bengal could keep the state under heavy rain until October 26. Emergency crews have been deployed to drain low‑lying areas and restore normal traffic. Residents were advised to avoid non‑essential travel and to keep windows closed during the downpour.

Context

Tamil Nadu’s monsoon season typically peaks in October, and the state often faces flooding when low‑pressure systems move in from the Bay of Bengal.