An orange alert has been officially declared for significant portions of Tamil Nadu, including the capital city Chennai, signaling the imminent threat of heavy to very heavy rainfall. This severe weather warning stems from an upper-air circulation, identified as a low-pressure system, which has developed over the Bay of Bengal.
Districts Under Orange Alert and Rainfall Forecast
According to the weather agency, the intense downpour is expected to persist across the southern state for the next four days. The alert specifically covers a dozen districts: Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, and Ramanathapuram. The union territory of Puducherry and the Karaikal region are also under the orange alert.
In contrast, a warning for light to moderate rainfall has been forecast for the districts of Tiruvallur, Kallakurichi, and Perambalur.
Precautionary Measures and Impact
In response to the forecast, the Tamil Nadu government has proactively urged the affected districts to implement all necessary precautionary measures. A crucial advisory has been issued to fishermen, strongly advising them against venturing into the Gulf of Mannar and the Kanniyakumari sea areas. The advisory highlights the expectation of squally winds with speeds of 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph.
The continuous rainfall in Chennai and neighbouring districts has also sparked concerns among parents and educational institutions regarding potential school closures. With heavy showers, overcast skies, and thunderstorms already affecting the city, many are anticipating a holiday announcement for November 17, especially for younger students. However, the Chennai district administration has not yet issued any official order declaring a school holiday on that date.
Widespread Rainfall Alert Across South India
The influence of this weather system extends beyond Tamil Nadu. The meteorological department has also issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several other regions. Kerala and Mahe are expected to receive heavy rains from November 16 to 20. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema are on alert for November 17 and 18. Furthermore, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are likely to experience significant rainfall between November 18 and 21.
