Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday took stock of the situation arising due to the heavy rain predicted by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, in the next four days.
He has directed the authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts on October 15, and also asked them to issue advisory to IT firms to allow their employees to work from home from October 15 to 18.
The RMC said Tamil Nadu would receive heavy rain due to a low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am today. “It is likely to become a well marked low pressure area and move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next two days,” it said.
The Tamil Nadu government has also issued a work-from-home advisory from October 15 to 18, urging offices to allow employees to avoid travel during this period. Chief Minister MK Stalin has stressed the importance of staying safe, particularly as waterlogging and traffic disruptions are expected to increase.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea until October 17, as sea conditions are likely to worsen with gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph.
With schools and colleges closed, authorities are focusing on flood prevention measures and ensuring the smooth drainage of water from low-lying areas in Chennai. Civic teams have been deployed to monitor and manage waterlogged zones, as the northeast monsoon is expected to begin by mid-October, bringing more intense rains.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has advised residents to stay indoors and follow the government’s advisory to avoid any risk during the continued rainfall.
