Chennai, northern Tamil Nadu brace for more rain: Schools, colleges remain shut on Wednesday

PTI photo

CHENNAI: Heavy rain continued to lash Chennai and northern Tamil Nadu with northeast monsoon hitting the southern coast on Wednesday. Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts remained closed for a second consecutive day, following district administration orders.

Most central areas of Chennai city received lesser rainfall compared to suburban areas in all directions where infrastructure is generally a notch lower. 

By 8:30 am on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department or IMD weather station in Nungambakkam reported receiving 116.4 mm rainfall, while an independent weather station Chepauk received 147.5 mm. 

Suburban areas, especially in the southern part of the Greater Chennai region, received very heavy rainfall. Perumbakkam received 316.9 mm of rain while Chrompet received 252.2 mm of rain.

The weather department predicted rain or thundershowers at most places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and at many places over interior Tamil Nadu over the next four days.

Weather Forecast for Wednesday

• Chennai: Moderate to heavy rainfall 
  
• Vellore – Overcast with light to moderate rainfall
  
• Madurai – Partially cloudy with thunderstorms
  
• Trichy – Thunderstorms expected 
  
• Coimbatore – Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms

"These rains are due to the presence of the cyclonic circulation over Sri Lankan landmass which could organise itself well as it moves into the open waters.  In the wake of this persistent circulation and potential development into a low-pressure area (LPA) in the days to come, the entire coastal Tamil Nadu inclusive of Chennai may witness moderate to heavy rain for next few days. The interiors as well could get isolated moderate rain spells," stated Kea weather site