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In light of the heavy rain forecast, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts for October 15.
The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday. The Chief Minister also instructed the authorities to issue an advisory to allow employees of IT companies in these districts to work from home from October 15 to 18, an official release said. In the meeting, the Chennai Corporation Commissioner said, "990 pumps and 57 Tractors with pump sets are ready. 36 motorboats, 46 Metric tons of Bleach powder, 25 metric tons of lime Powder, and Phenol are kept ready. Additionally,169 camp offices, cooking spaces in the required amount, for rescue operations, 59 JCB, 272 tree cutters, 176 water drainers, 130 generators, and 115 lorries are on standby as part of monsoon preparedness." Similarly, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram district collectors explained the precautionary measures that haven't been taken in their respective districts. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also said, "We are fully prepared for the monsoon rains. The CM has announced holidays for schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur as we expect heavy rains tomorrow. We have issued work-from-home orders (for private companies) so that people do not travel." Earlier in the day, heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district the previous evening, leading to waterlogging in several areas of the city. The incessant caused waterlogging in various, including the Ponneri railway subway. Local authorities were assessing the situation and managing the impact of the flooding. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 0530 hrs IST on October 14, 2024. It is likely to become a well well-marked low-pressure area and move northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next two days. "Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal between October 12-16, with the most intense downpours likely on October 14-15. An orange alert has been issued from October 14-16," said the weather department earlier. On Sunday, the weather department forecast heavy rains over several districts in the state for October 14. "Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Dharmapuri, Salem, Nilgiris, Erode, Namakkal, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirapalli, Karur, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram districts," it said. It also forecast heavy rains at isolated places over Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam districts and Puducherry and Karaikal among others. Chennai and its neighbouring regions are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall as the northeast monsoon is likely to set in by October 15 or 16, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon has progressed rapidly and is anticipated to end within the next four days, making way for the much-awaited northeast monsoon. The IMD has reported a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean. This weather system is expected to evolve into a low-pressure area over the central parts of the south Bay of Bengal by Monday, October 14. It is likely to intensify into a well-marked low-pressure system and move northwestwards towards the northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh coastlines within the subsequent 48 hours, bringing significant rainfall to the region. Even before the onset of the northeast monsoon, several districts in Tamil Nadu have already recorded significant rainfall. Early showers have provided much-needed relief to some regions, while others are bracing for potential waterlogging and flooding as the intensity of the monsoon increases in the coming days. The IMD has issued a warning to fishermen, advising them not to go in or around the sea until October 17 due to rough sea conditions and gusty winds. (ANI)
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