Tamil Nadu Rain Fury: Schools Shut in Thoothukudi as IMD Warns of More Downpours
Heavy rainfall triggers school closures in Thoothukudi and Puducherry. IMD warns of more heavy rain and gusty winds across Tamil Nadu.
Torrential rains have lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu, leading to widespread disruption and the closure of educational institutions. In the Thoothukudi district, where continuous rainfall has heavily impacted both urban and suburban areas, the district administration has stepped in to ensure safety. District Collector Vishu Mahajan has officially announced a holiday for schools on Thursday due to the prevailing weather conditions.
Puducherry and Karaikal Also Hit
The impact of the weather system extends beyond Tamil Nadu. In the neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry, Education Minister A Namachivayam announced that all government, government-aided, and private schools in both Puducherry and Karaikal will remain closed on Thursday following a heavy rain warning.
IMD Forecast: Low Pressure System Over Bay of Bengal
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed this surge in precipitation to a low-pressure area situated over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Tamil Nadu. This system is expected to trigger isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, and Kerala between October 21 and 25.
For Thursday, the weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. These showers are likely to be accompanied by:
- Thunderstorms and lightning
- Gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph at one or two specific locations
Chennai Under Yellow Alert
The state capital, Chennai, has already felt the brunt of the storm. Rainfall that began on Tuesday persisted overnight, with MGR Nagar recording the highest rainfall at 15 cm. Several other neighbourhoods in and around the city witnessed rainfall ranging between 10 cm and 15 cm. Consequently, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Chennai.
Districts on High Alert
The IMD has identified a long list of districts likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, including:
- Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari
- Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram
- Theni, Dindigul, and Madurai
- Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, and Sivaganga
- Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai
- Karaikal in Puducherry
Warnings for Fishermen and Future Outlook
Safety warnings have also been extended to the coast. In Thoothukudi, mechanised boat fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea for fishing operations due to the continuous heavy rainfall and unstable sea conditions.
Looking ahead to October 23, the weather department forecasts widespread rainfall. Specifically, heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, is expected at isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Kanniyakumari districts.