Orange alert in Tamil Nadu; holiday declared for schools in four districts, employees asked to work from home

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for educational institutions in various districts of the state today due to the possibility of heavy rain. Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin directed IT employees working in these districts to work from home till October 18. Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts' Magistrates stated that the districts are prepared to face the thunderstorm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that Tamil Nadu is likely to receive heavy rainfall for the next three days. Isolated and heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until October 16. The Meteorological Department has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu today and an orange alert has been issued for the state until tomorrow. This is due to the formation of a low-pressure area in the southeastern Bay of Bengal at 5:30 am yesterday.

The IMD has predicted that the low-pressure area will strengthen and move towards the coasts of northwest Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh within the next two days.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister convened an emergency meeting the other day to discuss necessary measures to be taken in the wake of the heavy rain. Chennai Corporation Commissioner informed that 990 pumps and 57 tractor-mounted pump sets are ready to drain stagnant floodwater. Moreover, 36 motor boats, 46 metric tons of bleaching powder, 25 metric tons of lime powder and phenol have been arranged. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin conducted surveys along the riverbanks of Narayanapuram and canals near Ambedkar Road to assess the situation.