Holiday declared for schools in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Thiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Karaikal as heavy rain lashes Tamil Nadu – Tamil Nadu News
The ongoing Northeast Monsoon has intensified across Tamil Nadu, bringing heavy rainfall to various districts, particularly in southern and delta regions. As a precaution, several district administrations have declared school holidays, citing waterlogging and safety concerns.
In Tirunelveli, heavy rains over the past two days have prompted District Collector KP Karthikeyan to declare a holiday for all government and private schools on Wednesday. Similar measures were announced in Thoothukudi and Tenkasi districts, where schools will also remain closed. However, colleges in these districts will continue to function as usual.
In Ramanathapuram, where heavy rains have disrupted normalcy, Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon extended the closure to include both schools and colleges. Meanwhile, in the delta district of Tiruvarur, Collector T Charushree declared a holiday for schools, while Karaikal District Collector T Manikandan also announced a school holiday.
In Virudhunagar, which has been experiencing moderate rainfall, District Collector VP Jeyaseelan has left the decision to declare holidays to the discretion of individual school heads based on local conditions.
The rains, caused by an intensified Northeast Monsoon and an atmospheric upper air circulation, have severely impacted southern districts like Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi. Waterlogging has been reported in many areas, further complicating daily life.
WEATHER UPDATES AND FORECAST
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, widespread rainfall is expected over coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, with up to 75% of weather stations in the region recording rain. Moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is forecast for districts including Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Karaikal until Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, lighter rains are likely in Ramanathapuram, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukottai, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari districts. Chennai and its suburbs are expected to remain relatively dry, with partly cloudy skies and morning fog.
UPCOMING CYCLONIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Chennai Meteorological Department has predicted the formation of a low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal on November 23, which is likely to intensify into a depression by November 25. This system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains, with isolated instances of very heavy rain, across southern coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema between November 26 and November 29. Light to moderate rains may persist in these regions until December 1.
The incessant rain has disrupted normal life in several districts, with waterlogging in key areas of Nellai (Tirunelveli) and Thoothukudi. While southern Tamil Nadu braces for more rains, the delta districts remain on alert for potential flooding and storm-related damages. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and exercise caution.