IMD Issues Red Alert as Deep Depression Batters Chennai, Thiruvallur with Heavy Rain
Red alert issued as schools shut and torrential rain batters Tamil Nadu.
The India Meteorological Department has placed Chennai and Thiruvallur districts under a red alert as the lingering deep depression, formerly Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, remains stationed barely 35 km off the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, pounding the region with extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall and triggering widespread flooding concerns across multiple coastal and interior districts.
Despite gradual weakening expected within the next 12 hours as the system recurves southwestwards, the meteorological agency warns of continued intense precipitation throughout Tuesday, keeping maximum temperatures suppressed at around 27 °C and minimums near 23 °C under a thick blanket of cloud cover that shows no sign of immediate dispersal.
In a swift precautionary response, district collectors of Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kanchipuram declared a complete holiday for all schools, colleges, and educational institutions on Monday night, ensuring student safety amid forecasts of severe waterlogging, overflowing stormwater drains, and potential disruption of public transport networks.
Also Read: Chennai Reels Under Torrential Rains; Andhra on High Alert as Cyclone Ditwah’s Remnants Persist
From December 4 onwards, Chennai’s weather pattern will shift to partly cloudy skies interspersed with spells922 of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and occasional lightning, a regime likely to persist through December 7 with daytime temperatures slowly climbing back toward 30 °C and night readings stabilising between 25 °C and 26 °C.
Authorities have urged residents to exercise maximum caution, avoid venturing into low-lying or flood-prone areas, refrain from unnecessary travel, and strictly follow advisories issued by the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority and local administration as the state battles yet another intense cyclonic weather event.
Also Read: Red Alert in Cauvery Delta as Cyclone Ditwah Nears Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, South Andhra Pradesh
