Widespread Heavy Rains Lash Tamil Nadu, Schools & Colleges Closed In Several Districts

The ongoing rainfall is driven by a low-pressure system over the Southwest Bay of Bengal which India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports is expected to weaken but will likely move towards TN.

As heavy rains continue to impact several districts across Tamil Nadu, authorities have announced school and college holidays in select districts on Wednesday. Educational institutions in Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal, Puducherry, will remain closed, while only schools in Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts have been granted a holiday.

The ongoing rainfall is driven by a low-pressure system over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, which India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports is expected to weaken but will likely move towards Tamil Nadu in the next two days. This system, combined with a cyclonic circulation extending up to 4.5 km above mean sea level, is causing substantial rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh, prompting a yellow alert in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts.

IMD said: "Under the influence of Yesterday’s upper air cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal, a low pressure area formed over the same region at 1430 IST of yesterday, 11th November 2024 and lay over Southwest Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu & adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts at 0530 IST of today, the 12th November 2024 and persists over the same area at 0830 IST."

"The associated cyclonic circulation now extends upto 4.5 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height. A cyclonic circulation lies over Southeast Arabian sea and adjoining Kerala coast & extends upto 0.9 km above mean sea level," it said.

In Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday, the IMD forecasts moderate to heavy rain in areas including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet. Chennai experienced a heavy downpour overnight, with neighborhoods like Adyar, Meenambakkam, and Nandanam recording 6 cm of rain. Additionally, districts such as Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, and Madurai are likely to experience isolated heavy showers.

The IMD also predicts significant rainfall in Andhra Pradesh districts, including Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla, accompanied by strong winds along the southern coast, reaching speeds of 35 to 45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h.