Heavy rainfall has been lashing several districts of Tamil Nadu, prompting authorities to declare a school holiday in Madurai, Tiruchi, and several other districts on Friday, December 13, 2024. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall.
Affected Districts and Alerts
The IMD has categorized districts based on the severity of the rainfall expected:
- Red Alert (Extremely Heavy Rainfall): Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi
- Orange Alert (Very Heavy Rainfall): Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and others
- Yellow Alert (Heavy Rainfall): Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Kanyakumari, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Dindigul, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore
School Closures
In response to the heavy rainfall, district administrations have taken the decision to close schools in several districts:
- Schools and Colleges Closed: Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, Puducherry, Trichy, Ariyalur, Perambalur
- Schools Closed: Madurai, Dindigul, Cuddalore, Pudukkottai, Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Salem, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Karur, Theni, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Nagapattinam, Tiruppur, Valparai
Impact and Preparations
The heavy rainfall has led to waterlogging in several areas, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to residents. Authorities are urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state emergency teams have been deployed to affected areas to assist in rescue and relief operations. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Weather Forecast
The IMD predicts that the rainfall will gradually decrease over the next few days. However, people are advised to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and take necessary precautions.
Additional Information
- Rainfall Trends: The current rainfall is part of the annual northeast monsoon, which typically brings heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu between October and December.
- Impact on Agriculture: The rainfall is crucial for agriculture in the region, but excessive rainfall can also lead to crop damage and flooding.
- Safety Tips:
- Avoid venturing out during heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
- Stay away from waterlogged areas and electrical poles.
- Keep emergency numbers handy.
- Stay updated with weather forecasts and alerts.
As the situation evolves, it is important to stay informed and follow the guidelines issued by local authorities.
