Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Ranipet will remain closed on Wednesday, October 21, after heavy overnight rain affected several parts of northern Tamil Nadu. District collectors announced the holiday as the Regional Meteorological Department forecast further rainfall across the region.
Heavy rain was reported through the night in parts of Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur. The weather department has warned that rain is likely to continue across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26.
The closure covers schools in all five districts named in the announcement. The decision is intended to account for continuing weather conditions and the possibility of disruption caused by intense rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
According to the Regional Meteorological Department, an upper-air cyclonic circulation that was earlier located over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the North Tamil Nadu coast, is now positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast. The system extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday. The department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26.
Thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, are also likely at one or two places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during the period. The forecast adds to the risk of disruption for school transport, local travel and outdoor activity in Chennai and neighbouring districts.
The school holiday announcement follows the district-level administrative response to the continuing weather system. Further decisions on school operations will depend on subsequent weather conditions and announcements from the concerned district administrations.
