Heavy Rain Causes Chaos in Tamil Nadu: Schools Closed & Mountain Train Cancelled
Chennai: The state of Tamil Nadu in India has been hit by heavy rain, triggering chaos in various districts and leading to the closure of schools and cancellation of mountain train services. The Northeast monsoon has intensified in the region, causing torrential downpours and waterlogging in several parts of the state.
Madurai and Coimbatore, two major cities in Tamil Nadu, have been severely affected by the heavy rain, disrupting normal life for residents. Dindigul and Tenkasi are among the other districts that have experienced heavy downpours, resulting in severe waterlogging. In Madurai specifically, the recent heavy rainfall has thrown normal life out of gear.
To mitigate the potential dangers posed by the heavy rain, a holiday has been declared for schools in Madurai, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Tiruppur, and Theni districts. Additionally, both schools and colleges in four Taluks of Nilgiri district, including Ooty, Kundha, Coonoor, and Kotagiri, will remain closed.
Furthermore, the mountain train service in the Nilgiris district has been cancelled due to strong rainfall. The tracks have been affected, with the soil washing away between Kallar-Adderly in the Mettupalayam-Coonoor section. Restoration work is currently underway to address the issue.
The Chennai Regional Meteorological Department (RMC) has forecasted heavy rain in isolated areas across several districts, including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and Thoothukudi. This rainfall is expected to persist for two days due to a cyclonic circulation. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued an ‘orange alert’ for districts in the southern part of Tamil Nadu.
While Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Thiruvallur districts are expected to experience moderate rains, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of residents.
Tragically, a 65-year-old man named Selvam lost his life in Theni district when a wall collapsed on him due to heavy rainfall caused by the northeast monsoon.
Concerned about potential flooding, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the district administrations have issued flood warnings to those residing along the banks of the Vaigai River in Madurai and the Thenpennai River in Tiruvannamalai.
As the heavy rain continues, residents and authorities are urged to take necessary precautions and remain vigilant. The state government will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance where needed.
