Orange Alert’ Issued
Heavy rainfall continued to lash Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday morning, flooding roads, disrupting traffic, and prompting officials to shut down schools and colleges across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now issued a cyclone warning for coastal Tamil Nadu, with the state capital under an ‘orange alert’ and eight other districts under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall.
“The weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression today and may move toward the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh,”
said B. Amudha, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.
🌧️ Tamil Nadu Braces for Intense Monsoon Showers
The ongoing northeast monsoon, which began early this year, has intensified due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, approximately 400 km from the Chennai coast.
The IMD said the system is expected to strengthen into a depression by Wednesday noon and could bring widespread heavy rainfall, strong winds, and sea turbulence over the next 48 hours.
“The situation is being closely monitored. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea,” the IMD advisory said.
🏫 Schools, Colleges Shut in Multiple Districts
In light of the worsening weather, Chennai District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade declared a holiday for all schools on Wednesday.
According to reports, colleges in Chennai will also remain closed, while offices are expected to function normally.
Several other district administrations — Cuddalore, Villupuram, Ranipet, Puducherry, and Karaikal — have also announced holidays for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.
In Thoothukudi, however, only schools have been ordered shut.
🚨 IMD Red and Orange Alerts: What They Mean
| Alert Level | Districts | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Red Alert | Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram | Extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm or more) expected |
| 🟠 Orange Alert | Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai | Heavy to very heavy rainfall, possible urban flooding |
Officials warned that intense showers could continue till Friday, accompanied by gusty winds of 40–50 km/h, particularly along the Chennai–Puducherry coast.
🌊 Sea Turns Rough, Fishermen Warned to Stay Ashore
The Marina Beach and coastal areas of Ennore and Mamallapuram witnessed rough waves and high tides on Wednesday morning.
Coastal patrol teams have been deployed, and authorities have warned tourists and fishermen to stay away from the sea.
“We’ve intensified rescue and relief operations in vulnerable zones. Pumps and boats are on standby,” said a Chennai Corporation official.
🛑 Flooding, Traffic Snarls Across Chennai
Several arterial roads, including Mount Road, Nungambakkam, Velachery, and T Nagar, reported waterlogging and traffic congestion.
Visuals from the city showed vehicles stranded on flooded stretches, with commuters wading through ankle-deep water.
Power disruptions were reported in a few localities, though restoration work is underway.
📊 At a Glance: Chennai Rainfall & Weather Updates
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Alert Type | Orange for Chennai; Red for 8 districts |
| System | Low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal |
| Distance from Coast | ~400 km from Chennai |
| Wind Speed (Forecast) | 40–50 km/h gusting to 60 km/h |
| Sea Condition | Rough to very rough |
| Schools/Colleges | Closed in Chennai, Puducherry & 7 other districts |
| Offices | Functioning normally |
⚠️ IMD Forecast for the Week
- October 22–23: Widespread heavy rainfall likely across north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
- October 24: Rain intensity may reduce, but intermittent showers to persist
- October 25: Weather expected to gradually improve as the depression moves inland
