As heavy rains continued to drench several parts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, prompting the proactive closure of schools and colleges as a preventive measure, Puducherry, a Union Territory, also declared a holiday for educational institutions.

An orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) specifically targeted coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) on November 14.

Schools and colleges in districts like Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur remained closed on Tuesday. Meanwhile, certain taluks in other districts such as Tiruvannamalai, Pudukkotai, and Dindigul also saw school closures.

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Predicting heavy rainfall, all necessary rescue measures have been ensured with directions given to the district administrations by the revenue department.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported the formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and Andaman-Nicobar Islands due to an upper air cyclonic circulation. Rainfall records indicated Velankannai in Nagapattinam with the highest at 17 cm, followed by Nagapattinam (15 cm) and Karaikal (14 cm). Nannilam, Cuddalore, Paringipettai, and Puducherry recorded 12 cm of rainfall each.

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“The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to upper tropospheric levels tilting southwestwards with height. It is likely to move west-northwest wards and concentrate into a depression over West Central Bay of Bengal around November 16, 2023,” the bulletin read, as reported by Indian Express.

In the next three hours, moderate thunderstorms, lightning, and moderate rainfall are anticipated in isolated areas across various districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is expected in Puducherry and Karaikal.

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Chennai, the state capital, has been experiencing continuous rainfall since late Monday night, with Meenambakkam recording 3.55 cm and Nungambakkam 2.5 cm of rainfall until 5:30 am on November 14.

The ongoing heavy rainfall led to the postponement of diploma examinations scheduled for the day. The Directorate of Technical Examination assured to communicate the revised date through their website.

Previously, on November 13, the RMC had issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall for several districts, including Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, along with the Karaikal area.

Additionally, isolated places in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram districts were warned of heavy rainfall.