Tamil Nadu Holiday On Dec 4: Will Schools Remain Closed In Chennai & Other Rain-Hit Dists?

Chennai and several parts of coastal as well as interior Tamil Nadu witnessed widespread rainfall on Wednesday after the depression over the Bay of Bengal weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area. The system, which had already brought two days of continuous rain to the region, continued to dump heavy showers, prompting multiple alerts and rescue efforts.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), 25 districts in Tamil Nadu are expected to receive heavy rainfall today. An orange alert has been issued for Chennai, Nilgiris, the Ghat areas of Coimbatore, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, signalling the likelihood of intense showers and localised flooding.

Meanwhile, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Salem, Erode, Tirupattur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Ariyalur, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Puducherry remain under yellow alert, indicating moderate to heavy rain.

Low-Pressure System Continues to Linger Over Tamil Nadu Coast

In its morning bulletin, the RMC said the system has been moving slowly:

"Yesterday's depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Westcentral Bay moved southwestwards and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts by early Wednesday. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to drift southwestwards, weakening further over the next 24 hours."

The bulletin also noted the presence of a trough extending from the low-pressure area to Lakshadweep across North Interior Tamil Nadu, South Interior Karnataka and North Kerala - a feature that is enhancing rainfall across the region.

Flooding in Chennai; Residents Rescued

Heavy rain pounded Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram, leading to sudden waterlogging across neighbourhoods and major roads. In Red Hills, nine residents marooned in their homes were rescued by Fire and Rescue Services personnel using boats and shifted to relief camps.

With Wednesday marking the third consecutive wet day, normal life remained disrupted. Small traders reported losses due to reduced footfall, while vehicular movement slowed across multiple districts. Several parts of Tamil Nadu have been receiving continuous rainfall since last week due to the influence of Cyclone Ditwah and its remnants.

The IMD reiterated that Cyclone Ditwah's leftover circulation played a key role in the current weather pattern.

How Tamil Nadu Rained on Tuesday

The State recorded intense rainfall at several locations on Tuesday. The highest rainfall of 15 cm was reported in:

• Ennore (Chennai)
• Hindustan University (Chengalpattu)

They were followed by Chetpet (Tiruvannamalai) with 13 cm.

Other major rainfall figures include:

• 12 cm: Tirumayam (Pudukkottai), Wimco Nagar (Chennai), Thamaraipakkam (Tiruvallur)
• 11 cm: Sathyabama University, Manali New Town, VIT Chennai, Thirukalukundram, Medavakkam Junction, Tiruvarur, Kudimiyanmalai, Illuppur
• 10 cm: Pallikaranai, Mahabalipuram, Vadakuthu, Kelambakkam, Red Hills, Ulundurpet
• 9 cm: Tondi, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, Ponneri, Tiruvarur AWS, Kathivakkam, Ambattur, Pollachi, Neivasal Thenpathi, Cholavaram, Gummidipoondi, Perambur, Bahour
• 8 cm: Pallikaranai ARG, Uthukottai, Manali, Needamangalam, Vallam

School Holiday Update

Schools and colleges across Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram remained closed today following heavy rain forecasts triggered by Cyclone Ditwah's remnants. The orders were issued last night by district administrations as a precaution to ensure student safety amid the threat of waterlogging.

Chennai District Collector Roshni Siddharth Jagade declared that all educational institutions in the district would observe a holiday on December 3. Similar announcements were made by the Collectors of Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram.

Will Schools Reopen Tomorrow?

As a precautionary measure in view of heavy rainfall, a holiday has been declared for schools in Chennai on 4 December, said Chennai District Collector Rashmi Siddarth Jagade, IAS.

Educational institutions in these rain-hit districts have already remained closed for two consecutive days. Authorities of other rain-hit regions are expected to announce a decision by by tonight based on the evolving weather conditions.