Chennai Rain Alert: Schools Shut, 5 Flights Cancelled

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Schools and colleges in Chennai shut due to heavy rain.
2. Five flights cancelled as runways become inaccessible.
3. CM MK Stalin advised IT employees to work from home until October 18.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Heavy rains continue to disrupt normal life in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in four districts—Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu—due to a heavy rain alert. Additionally, IT companies have been advised to allow employees to work from home until October 18. The situation at the airport has also worsened, with five flights cancelled as the runways have been flooded.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over the next three days. The most intense downpours are expected on October 14-15, prompting an orange alert from October 14-16.

On Monday, Chief Minister MK Stalin convened a meeting to review the state’s monsoon preparedness. Chennai Corporation Commissioner reported that 990 pumps and 57 tractors with pump sets are on standby. Emergency supplies such as 36 motorboats, 46 metric tonnes of bleach powder, and 25 metric tonnes of lime powder are ready for use.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also surveyed the Narayanapuram lake and Ambedkar Road canals in light of the heavy rain forecast. He assured that the situation remains under control, with Chennai recording around 5 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. No power cuts were reported, though eight areas experienced tree falls, which are being cleared. Out of 22 subways, two were flooded, and traffic has been halted.

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