Heavy rains batter TN, Puducherry; schools shut

Chennai: Even it has been over two weeks since Chennai is being battered with gusting wind and heavy downpour there are no signs of relief yet. Since Thursday evening, many parts in Tamil Nadu including Thoothukodi and the state capital were lashed with heavy rains. The Indian Meteorological Department issued an ‘Orange’ alert in Chennai on Friday as the rainwater has encroached buildings and structures.

Heavy rains lashed the union territory of Puducherry overnight and on Friday morning. A holiday was declared for schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions on Friday and Saturday in the wake of incessant rains since Thursday night.

Education Minister A Namassivayam, who held discussions with officials of the department, announced the closure of institutions Followed by the worsening weather conditions, the state administration has declared a holiday to schools and colleges in at least 24 administrations. The Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy temple in Thoothukodi completely inundated in water and authorities evacuated the area immediately. Heavy rains also lashed Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu after which the district collector summoned the officials from various departments to maintain vigil over the situation. The low-lying areas of Ramanathpuram. Paramakudi, and R.S. Mnagalam are constantly being monitored by the Revenue and and Disaster management officials. The Tourism sector is also hit as the officials conveyed that owing to the arrival of northeastern monsoon, there have been very less visit by pilgrims to the holy town of Rameswaram. Moreover, the inner places around Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli will witness thunderstorms on FridaySaturday with moderate rainfall in Chennai, Chengalpattu and Cuddalore. Earlier this week, the IMD had forecast a cyclonic circulation lying over the Bay of Bengal and had predicted rains in various parts of the southern states for the next five days. The cyclonic circulation lies over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, an IMD press release said.

“Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over southwest Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours. It is likely to move westnorthwestwards towards Sri Lanka and south Tamil Nadu coast,” it added.  -(PTI)