The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu over the next two days as a low-pressure area form over the southwest Bay of Bengal. Persistent overnight rainfall has caused waterlogging in several areas, prompting authorities to declare school holidays in multiple districts.
Chennai’s MGR Nagar recorded the highest rainfall at 15 cm, while several neighborhoods in and around the state capital received between 10 cm and 15 cm of rain. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Chennai.
Schools Closed in Several Districts
Schools will remain closed on October 22 in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari and Tenkasi districts due to heavy rainfall. Educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal have also been declared closed for the day.
However, no school closure order had been issued for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu for October 22 at the time of the report. Schools in these districts had been closed on October 21 due to heavy showers.
IMD Issues Rainfall Warning
According to the IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on October 22, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph at one or two locations.
The districts likely to be affected include Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. Karaikal in Puducherry is also likely to experience heavy rainfall.
Rainfall is expected to continue on October 23. The IMD has specifically warned of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations in Kanniyakumari, the Nilgiris and Coimbatore, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph.
With further rainfall forecast, residents in affected districts are advised to monitor official weather updates and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
