Heavy rain: People travelling to Tamil Nadu should exercise caution; 17 districts including Chennai in high risk category

CHENNAI: After Kerala, heavy rainfall is now lashing Tamil Nadu as well. Following a weather department warning indicating the likelihood of intense rains, an orange alert has been issued in several districts. A total of 17 districts, including Chennai, have been placed under the orange alert. Waterlogging and traffic disruptions are expected in these areas.

Districts categorised as high-risk include Thiruvallur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tenkasi, Dindigul, Thoothukudi, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Kanyakumari, and Chennai. Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for Madurai and Virudhunagar.

The cause of the rainfall warning is a cyclonic circulation that has formed over the southeastern Bay of Bengal and the southern Andaman Sea. Rain is expected to continue over the next five days. Travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain and to be cautious on wet roads. As of now, no holidays have been declared for schools or offices.