Tue Nov 12 06:48:20 UTC 2024: ## Heavy Rains Expected in Tamil Nadu, Chennai Schools Closed

**Chennai, November 12, 2024:** Tamil Nadu is bracing for heavy rainfall across the state, with a yellow alert issued for 12 districts, including Chennai and its surrounding areas, on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the downpour to a low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal on Monday.

The rainfall is expected to intensify throughout the week, with Chennai experiencing heavy rain in isolated places until Friday. The city is awaiting a significant rainfall spell after the initial monsoon showers. However, the city’s monsoon rainfall has decreased from an excess of 35% recorded until October 31 to a mere 1% excess on Monday.

The five reservoirs supplying drinking water to Chennai, which currently hold only 42.8% of their capacity, are relying on the upcoming rains to replenish their water levels.

The IMD has predicted that the low-pressure area will slowly move towards the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka coasts over the next two days. Apart from Chennai, other districts like Nagapattinam and Pudukkottai are also likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on Tuesday. From Wednesday, districts including Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Madurai, and Thoothukudi could see heavy downpour.

S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, stated that many parts of the state will witness moderate rainfall this week. The feeble weather system, though slow-moving, is expected to bring intense rain in isolated coastal areas until Wednesday. Rain bands will also cover the state’s interior parts starting Thursday.

The overall rainfall recorded in Tamil Nadu since October 1 is 25.5 cm, slightly above the normal 25.3 cm.

Due to the heavy rainfall forecast, the Chennai district collector declared a holiday for schools on Tuesday.

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