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The Northeast monsoon has intensified across Tamil Nadu, prompting the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai to issue cyclone and heavy rainfall alerts for several districts. As a precaution, the state government has declared holidays for schools and colleges in many areas.
Possibility of Cyclone
RMC Director B. Amudha stated a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has strengthened and is now about 400 km from Chennai. It is likely to develop into a depression by tomorrow afternoon near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh. She mentioned that while it may intensify further, confirmation about turning into a cyclone will be possible only after it becomes a depression.
Red Alert in Eight Districts of Tamil Nadu
Chennai district officials announced that all schools in the city will remain closed on Wednesday due to continuous rain. Similar closures have been declared in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Trichy, Salem, and Pudukottai. In Thoothukudi, only schools will remain shut. The administrations of Puducherry and Karaikal have also announced holidays for educational institutions. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for eight districts, including Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Nagapattinam, and an orange alert for Chennai, Chengalpattu, and others.
Havoc Caused in Cuddalore
In Cuddalore, heavy rain caused a house wall to collapse, killing a 70-year-old woman and her daughter. Severe waterlogging has also been reported in Pudukottai and nearby regions.
Emergency Measures Taken by the State
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed the state's preparedness, instructing officials to set up relief camps and keep emergency teams ready with boats, pumps, and machinery. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said another intense spell of rain is expected in two days and urged full readiness. From October 1 to 21, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal have received 160 mm of rain, 59% above normal levels.
