Heavy Rain Shuts Schools Across Five Tamil Nadu Districts as New Storm System Builds

UPDATE - follow-up to Tamil Nadu rains LIVE: Schools declare holiday in Chennai, four other districts: Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet remain shut today following heavy overnight downpours. Data from weather stations show Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam recorded 12 cm and 11 cm of rain respectively, with Taramani receiving 10 cm, Madhavaram 9 cm, and Villivakkam and Nandanam 8 cm. According to Hindustan Times - India, areas such as Bazullah Road and Usman Road in T. Nagar experienced severe waterlogging.

Official Inspections

Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand inspected flooded spots in his T. Nagar constituency and directed staff to clear trapped water using motor pumps, pointing out that ongoing Metro Rail work contributed to the pooling. Mayor R. Priya checked the Gandhi canal in the Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zone, while Joint Commissioner Se. Saravanan reviewed drainage steps at the Rangarajapuram subway. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to chair a meeting at the Secretariat to review monsoon readiness.

Weather Forecast

A fresh weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to keep rainfall going across the state until October 26. The Regional Meteorological Centre issued orange alerts for southern districts like Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, where up to 20 cm of rain is expected. A morning nowcast also warned of light to moderate thunderstorms across 24 districts, Karaikal, and Puducherry.

Context

This severe weather is part of the active northeast monsoon season that brings heavy rainfall to coastal southern states between October and December every year. Low-pressure systems forming over the Bay of Bengal frequently trigger widespread downpours and waterlogging in urban centers like Chennai.