Tamil Nadu Rains highlights: Chennai, adjoining districts prepare for another bout of rains as IMD issues red alert

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted another round of heavy rain for north Tamil Nadu today. A red alert has been issued for Chennai and the adjoining districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu on Thursday with heavy rainfall likely in these areas. It has warned of extremely heavy rainfall of as much as 20.4 cm in some places. Stay tuned for updates.

Rain lashes parts of Chennai with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in coastal districts

Normal life was hit in Puducherry on Thursday due to incessantrainssince last night. The low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal has resulted inrainsover parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puduchery since Wednesday. Education Minister A Namassivayam announced a holiday for all schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal on Thursday in view of the heavyrains. (PTI)

Depression over Bay of Bengal, to cross coast between TN and AP early on Friday

A depression has formed over the Bay of Bengal and it will cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by early November 19, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday, as rains lashed Chennai and its neighbouring districts, with forecast of more spells.

The depression lay over 300 km from here, the IMD said in a tweet.

"A depression has formed over southwest Bay of Bengal at 0830 hours IST (8.30 am) of today, the 18th November about 310 km southeast of Chennai. To move west-northwestwards and cross north TN and adjoining south AP coasts by the early morning of 19th Nov," it said. (PTI)

A meeting of the Tamil Nadu cabinet which was scheduled to be held on November 19 has been postponed by a day, a state government press release said as Ministers have been deputed by Chief Minister Stalin to oversee the precautionary measures in various districts where heavy rainfall had been predicted.

Heavy rains lash Chennai, adjoining districts

As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rains have again lashed Chennai and its adjoining districts, as well as several other areas in north Tamil Nadu.

As a result, schools and colleges in the affected areas were shut on Thursday.

To prevent any untoward incident, units from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and rescue, police, and the health department are on standby.

In a statement, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said it has already placed motor pumps in the low-lying areas of the state capital to prevent water stagnation.

The GCC said that it was removing plastic and other garbage to prevent the blockage of drains, adding that around 5,700 metric tonnes of garbage is removed on a daily basis from various parts of Chennai. (IANS)

Tamil Nadu raises 2 shutters of Mullaperiyar dam

Tamil Nadu government has opened two spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam following heavy rains at the catchment areas of the dam.

The decision was taken after the water level rose to 141 feet.

After the shutters were opened, 772 cusecs water is being released into the Periyar river of Kerala.

Water has already reached the Vallakadavu area and an alert has been issued for people living in the low-lying areas of the Periyar river.

Mullaperiyar is a masonry gravity dam managed by the Tamil Nadu government but geographically, it is situated in Kerala and hence the officers of both governments coordinate with each other before opening the dams. (IANS)

All schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal will remain closed today in view of the heavy rain forecast. As per IMD's forecast, Puducherry is likely to experience a 'generally cloudy sky with heavy rains' today. (ANI)

Schools shut in TN's Theni

District Collector in Tamil Nadu's Theni has announced closing of all schools and colleges today in the district in wake of heavy rainfall. As per IMD's forecast, the district is likely to receive heavy rainfall today. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu sets up war room to monitor rainfall

Low pressure area to reach AP-TN coast on Nov 18, rainfall expected

The low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal moved further westwards and is likely to reach the coast off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu by November 18, bringing rainfall, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

The department said the probability of cyclogenesis, the formation of a depression, during the next '120 hours', is however 'Nil' over the Bay of Bengal. "Yesterday’s low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal (BOB) moved further westwards, lay over southeast & adjoining southwest BOB...today the 17th November 2021 and persisted over the same region," the department said in a bulletin. (PTI)