Chennai School Holiday: The weather in Tamil Nadu has taken another turn. Heavy rainfall overnight has disrupted normal life in Chennai and surrounding districts. By morning, many areas experienced waterlogged roads, school premises were flooded, and people faced difficulties leaving their homes. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Seeing the situation worsening, the district administration has declared a holiday today for all government, private, and aided schools in Chennai and several other districts. Meanwhile, fishermen in coastal areas have been advised not to venture into the sea due to strong winds.

Chennai School Holiday

Districts Where Schools Will Remain Closed

Schools will remain closed in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Kanchipuram districts due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging conditions.

  • Chennai: Schools closed due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging
  • Chengalpattu: Holiday declared for safety reasons due to continuous rain
  • Tiruvallur: Schools closed due to waterlogging warnings
  • Kanchipuram: Holiday likely declared by local administration
  • Southern Tamil Nadu: Mild weather, decision to open schools left to local authorities

Meteorological Department Alert

According to the Meteorological Department, the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal remains active. This system is gradually moving west-northwest, which will likely cause heavy rainfall in the coastal areas of northern Tamil Nadu over the next 24 hours.

An orange alert has been issued for Monday for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Karaikal. These districts have been warned of very heavy rainfall in some areas. Additionally, a yellow alert has been declared for Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari.

Current Weather Situation in Chennai

Chennai will remain cloudy today. Heavy rainfall is likely in many parts of the city. The temperature is expected to remain around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius. Traffic may be slow on several main roads due to waterlogging. The administration has urged people to exercise caution before venturing out.

Government Instructions

The Tamil Nadu government has instructed administrations in all districts to remain vigilant. The government stated that an upper air cyclonic circulation near the Sri Lankan coast has created a low-pressure area. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in northeastern and coastal areas over the next four days. The State Emergency Operations Center is continuously monitoring the situation. Relief and rescue teams will be deployed immediately if needed.

Warning for Fishermen

Due to adverse weather conditions in sea areas, fishermen have been warned against venturing into the Gulf of Mannar and the sea areas around Kanyakumari. These areas may experience strong winds of 35-45 km/h, which could occasionally gust up to 55 km/h. The government has advised fishermen in coastal areas to avoid going to sea until the weather improves and to follow safety instructions.

Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is a major coastal metropolis in South India founded in the 17th century by the British East India Company. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including classical Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance. The city is also home to historic landmarks such as Fort St. George and the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, reflecting its colonial and Dravidian influences.

Chengalpattu

Chengalpattu is a historic town in Tamil Nadu, India, known for its strategic importance during various South Indian dynasties, including the Vijayanagara Empire and the British colonial era. It is home to the 17th-century Muthukumaraswamy Temple, a significant Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan. The town’s name, translating to “Town of Red Lotuses,” reflects its cultural and historical heritage in the region.

Tiruvallur

Tiruvallur is a historic town in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned for the ancient Vedagiriswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to have been expanded by the Chola dynasty and is famous for its large temple tank, the “Kalyana Theertham.” It remains a significant pilgrimage site, drawing devotees for its religious festivals and spiritual significance.

Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is an ancient city in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned as a historic capital of the Pallava dynasty and a major center of learning and religion. It is often called the “City of Thousand Temples” and is famous for its magnificent Dravidian-style Hindu temples, such as the Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar temples. The city also holds a prominent place in the history of Indian silk weaving, producing the celebrated Kanchipuram silk sarees.

Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Historically, it has been a crucial maritime hub for centuries, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of religions like Buddhism and Hinduism across South and Southeast Asia. Its shores have witnessed the rise of powerful empires and remain vital for the fishing and trade economies of the surrounding nations.

Mayiladuthurai

Mayiladuthurai is a historic temple town in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned for the Mayuranathaswami Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its history dates back over a thousand years, with the town’s name meaning “town of the peacock” and the temple believed to have been established when the Hindu goddess Parvati took the form of a peacock to worship Shiva. It remains a significant pilgrimage site, particularly noted for its association with the Tamil Saiva saint Appar.

Nagapattinam

Nagapattinam is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, India, historically known as a significant Chola port from the 7th to 11th centuries. It later became a major trading hub for European powers, including the Portuguese and Dutch, and is home to the revered Nagore Dargah, a 16th-century Islamic shrine. Today, it remains an important pilgrimage site and a center for the local fishing industry.

Tiruvarur

Tiruvarur is a historic temple town in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned for the Thyagaraja Temple, a major Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town has a rich history dating back over a millennium and was the medieval capital of the Chola dynasty. It is also a prominent center for Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam, with deep cultural and artistic traditions.