Chennai, Oct 29: The cyclonic storm Montha, brewing over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast later on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
While Tamil Nadu is unlikely to face the cyclone’s full impact, several northern districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu have been experiencing heavy rainfall since Monday, leading to waterlogging in parts of the state capital and temporary closure of schools.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, said that although Montha’s core will primarily affect coastal Andhra Pradesh, its outer rain bands are bringing continuous showers to northern Tamil Nadu. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rain in isolated places and thunderstorms with gusty winds up to 60 kmph.
As a safety measure, the Chennai District Collector declared a one-day holiday for all government and private schools on Tuesday. A similar order was issued in Tiruvallur district due to ongoing downpours and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Several parts of Chennai — including Teynampet, Velachery, Anna Nagar, and Perungudi reported water stagnation following overnight rain. The Greater Chennai Corporation has deployed additional pumps and field teams to clear blocked drains and prevent flooding.
Authorities have advised fishermen not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions and strong winds. Residents in coastal and flood-prone zones have been urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
“People should rely only on official alerts and stay away from beaches, riverbanks, and open drains during heavy rain,” an IMD official said.
The RMC forecast indicates that rainfall intensity will gradually decrease by Wednesday as Cyclone Montha moves inland after making landfall between Kakinada and Machilipatnam along the Andhra coast.
Meanwhile, emergency control rooms have been activated across all coastal districts to closely monitor the cyclone’s progress and coordinate relief and rescue measures.
Authorities across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh remain on high alert as Cyclone Montha advances toward the coast, bringing with it heavy rain, strong winds, and rough sea conditions.