Tamil Nadu Weather: Are Schools Closed In Rain-Hit Ramanathapuram?

Heavy rains battered Pamban and Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district on Wednesday, recording an unprecedented 411 mm of rainfall within just ten hours.

Between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm alone, Pamban received 19 cm of rain, with 362 mm pouring down within just three hours, an intensity akin to a continuous sheet of water. Weather blogger R. Pradeep John called it a "historic downpour" and "extraordinary." Visuals circulating on social media showed the iconic Pamban Bridge submerged, reflecting the severity of the deluge.

Red Alert and School Closures

The torrential rain prompted the IMD to issue a red alert for Ramanathapuram district, warning of more downpours as storms continue to move from the northeast to the southwest. Weather experts predict the mainland coast could witness heavier rains than Rameswaram Island in the coming hours.

In light of the situation, the District Education Officer granted discretion to school headmasters to decide on closures. However, most schools and colleges in Ramanathapuram have opted to remain open. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Tirunelveli district, the collector announced that educational institutions would function as usual, as conditions remained stable.

With the possibility of fresh storms and continuing rainfall, residents of Ramanathapuram are bracing for another round of heavy downpours. Experts and local authorities remain on high alert, urging caution and preparedness in the face of these historic rains.

Meanwhile, parts of Thoothukudi's urban and suburban areas faced waterlogging due to continuous heavy rainfall.

Thoothukudi urban areas such as Rajagopal Nagar, Pushpa Nagar, Raju Nagar, Postal Telegram Colony and other parts of the city are experiencing waterlogging.