Torrential Rain Paralyzes Tamil Nadu, Triggers Traffic Chaos and School Closures
Several parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, were brought to a standstill on Sunday as heavy rains lashed the region, causing extensive traffic jams and prompting authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in various districts.
The incessant rainfall resulted in traffic moving at a sluggish pace, with commuters stranded in severe road jams, particularly in parts of the Chennai district. Cities including Nagapattinam, Kilvelur Taluk, Viluppuram, and Cuddalore witnessed heavy downpours, leading to the closure of educational institutions in those areas.
Officials also announced a holiday for schools in Kallakurichi, Ranipet, Vellore, and Tiruvannamalai due to the adverse weather conditions. Visuals from Velachery Main Road depicted the challenging situation faced by commuters as they navigated through waterlogged streets.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued forecasts predicting continued rainfall across various districts in Tamil Nadu for the next seven days. The weather agency highlighted the likelihood of heavy rains in isolated places within ten districts of the state on Sunday, according to news agency ANI.
Nagapattinam experienced overnight rain, contributing to the overall waterlogging in the region. The IMD forecasted, “Moderate rain is very likely to continue at isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal area.”
The weather department added, “Light to moderate rain with occasional intense spells accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is very likely to continue over the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, and light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning during daytime today.”
Attributing the current spell of rainfall to strong easterly/northeasterly winds prevailing at lower tropospheric levels, the department stated that favorable conditions for moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal over Tamil Nadu were contributing to the heavy rainfall.
Tamil Nadu has been grappling with unprecedented rainfall this year, with Cyclone Michaung earlier causing havoc in Chennai and surrounding districts. Recent heavy rains in the southern districts resulted in substantial losses of public and private property, running into crores. The situation remains dynamic as authorities and residents brace themselves for further rain in the coming days.