Heavy Rain Lashes Chennai, Western Tamil Nadu, Schools Closed Across Many Areas
Schools shut across multiple districts, IMD warns of flooding, strong winds and rough sea conditions as the weakened system moves slowly inland.
Tamil Nadu, Dec 03 : Braced for another rain-soaked Wednesday as the remnant of Cyclone Ditwah lingered close to the state’s coastline, unleashing widespread rainfall across the northern and western belt. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weakened system was centred near 12.1°N and 80.2°E, around 100 km south of Chennai and roughly 40 km from Puducherry, moving very slowly towards land.
Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu saw steady morning showers, compounding two days of continuous rainfall. Several areas, including Velachery, Ambattur, GST Road and Arcot Road, remained heavily waterlogged, disrupting traffic and slowing movement through major junctions.
Schools shut across several northern districts
With waterlogged stretches around major school zones, administrations in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur declared a holiday for schools and colleges. Chengalpattu restricted closures to schools, while Ranipet ordered holidays in Arakkonam and Nemili taluks. Cuddalore, Villupuram and Kallakurichi also closed schools as a precaution.
District officials said the decision followed reports of unsafe access routes and the likelihood of more rainfall during the day.
Western Tamil Nadu on alert for heavy rain
The IMD’s morning bulletin issued a heavy rain warning for Nilgiris, Erode and Coimbatore, with the northeast monsoon remaining active over the western belt. Tenkasi, Dindigul, Salem, Tiruppur, Theni, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari may receive isolated spells.
Residents in hilly regions especially in the Nilgiris and Western Ghats—have been cautioned about possible localised landslides and mudslides.
Strong winds, rough sea conditions persist
Despite the system losing intensity, coastal areas experienced squally winds of 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra coast. Sea conditions are expected to stay very rough until noon, even though winds may ease gradually.
Authorities extended the suspension of fishing operations along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast and the adjoining Bay of Bengal. Fishermen already at sea were advised to avoid the danger zones highlighted in IMD’s marine warnings.
Flooding, crop damage and travel delays likely
The IMD flagged multiple potential impacts across north coastal Tamil Nadu, including:
Breaking of tree branches
Damage to banana and papaya crops
Flooding of kutcha roads
Waterlogging in low lying neighbourhoods
Temporary traffic disruptions
Reduced visibility during intense showers
Smaller river catchments may experience short-term flooding, the bulletin stated.
Disaster response teams in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Coimbatore have been placed on alert, with pumps and emergency crews deployed to chronic flood prone locations.
Intermittent rain to continue
With the system still lingering near the coast and the northeast monsoon active, intermittent rainfall is likely over Chennai and surrounding districts throughout Wednesday. Western Tamil Nadu may see heavy spells at isolated locations, while the southern belt could receive light showers.
Officials said a clearer forecast would emerge once the weakened circulation moves fully inland.
