Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu: Red alert issued for coastal districts

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued a red alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, warning that coastal and delta regions are likely to face heavy rainfall over the next few days due to a deep depression forming over the Bay of Bengal.

As per the reports, coastal and delta districts, particularly Mayiladuthurai, Karaikal, Thiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, are on high alert, while there are some other districts that are under an orange alert.

The depression will likely bring heavy rain to isolated areas in Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, and Chengalpattu. Additionally, districts such as Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Villupuram, Pudukkottai, Puducherry, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Tiruvannamalai are bracing for very heavy rainfall. Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are also expected to face intense weather conditions.
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Fishermen have been strongly advised to avoid venturing into the sea due to rough conditions. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression is projected to subside by November 30, easing the current red alert to a statewide yellow alert.

Since November 21, Tamil Nadu has already seen sporadic, intense rains, which have caused extensive floods and urban waterlogging. In places like Rajagopal Nagar, Pushpa Nagar, and Postal Telegram Colony, Thoothukudi has reported extreme waterlogging.

State officials, including Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, have reassured citizens of the government’s preparedness for the ongoing rains. "We have increased the deployment of motor pumps and volunteers by 21% compared to October, with 1,194 motor pumps and 152 super sucker machines ready to handle waterlogging,” Stalin stated.

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The RMC has indicated that the depression is currently centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal near Trincomalee and is expected to intensify as it moves northwest towards the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coast.

In anticipation of extreme weather, schools and colleges in several districts, including Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Tiruvarur, have been temporarily shut. Earlier this week, schools in Nagapattinam and Karaikal were also closed.

With heavy rains set to persist, the government continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing disruptions. Residents are urged to follow updates and heed weather advisories to stay safe during this challenging period.