Tamil Nadu Rain: Schools Closed Tomorrow In Chennai, 3 Other Districts; IT Firms Advised To Opt For WFH

In wake of the heavy rainfall forecast, the schools and colleges have been ordered to stay shut in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday.

State Chief Minister MK Stalin also urged the Information Technology (IT) firms to allow the employees of these district to work from home from October 15- 18.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal regions over the next three days.

CM Stalin holds Meeting

Stalin on Monday chaired a meeting to review monsoon preparedness. In the meeting, the Chennai Corporation Commissioner said, “990 pumps and 57 Tractors with pump sets are ready. 36 motorboats, 46 Metric tons of Bleach powder, 25 metric tons of lime Powder, and Phenol are kept ready.”

Additionally, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram district collectors explained the precautionary measures that haven’t been taken in their respective districts.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal were present in the meeting.

IMD issues Orange alert

The weather agency has issued an Orange alert from October 14-16 for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal regions.

“Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal between October 12-16, with the most intense downpours likely on October 14-15. An orange alert has been issued from October 14-16,” the IMD said.

The IMD said that a “low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 5:30 am on Monday. It is likely to become a well well-marked low-pressure area and move northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next two days.”

Scientist and Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Dr S Balachandran said, “…In 24 hours, heavy rainfall is expected in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Heavy rainfall is expected in north coastal districts from Delta till Tiruvallur tomorrow. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the seas. Red alert issued includes both quantity of rainfall and impact…”

On Sunday, the weather department forecast heavy rains over several districts, including, Dharmapuri, Salem, Nilgiris, Erode, Namakkal, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirapalli, Karur, Tiruppur, Combatore, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram for Monday.

Heavy rain lashed Tiruvallur district the previous evening, leading to waterlogging in several areas of the city. The incessant caused waterlogging in various, including the Ponneri railway subway. Local authorities were assessing the situation and managing the impact of the flooding.

State Preparedness

On Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government had alerted the authorities about the weather conditions till October 17, and instructed them to ensure precautionary measures and maintain law and order to avert any untoward incident.

The State government also listed out the expected impact in the districts, including, the possibilities of traffic disruption, water-logging in low-lying areas, road blocks due to falling of trees/branches, damages in informal settlements, increased water levels in waterbodies, and landslips in hilly areas.

(With inputs from agencies)