Cyclone Montha prompts Tamil Nadu to close faculties in Chennai and surrounding areas

Chennai is witnessing cloudy climate with intermittent rain and growing wind speeds as Cyclone Montha approaches. The India Meteorological Division (IMD) has warned that some areas of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry might see heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27–28.

A number of districts within the state, notably the Chennai metropolitan space and neighbouring coastal areas, have seen precautionary faculty closures, with native collectors saying momentary holidays for faculties and, in some instances, faculties, media stories mentioned. Authorities suggested residents in low-lying coastal areas to stay watchful for waterlogging and keep away from non-essential journey throughout peak rainfall durations.

The IMD has positioned Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet beneath an orange alert, signalling the probability of intense rainfall with thunderstorms. Ghat areas together with Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, and Puducherry stay on yellow alert. 9 districts are anticipated to obtain heavy rain on October 28, with Tiruvallur persevering with beneath orange alert, whereas Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Theni, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and the ghat areas of Tirunelveli stay on yellow alert.

Crimson alerts point out areas the place very doubtless and extreme impacts are anticipated; faculties and public gatherings are routinely closed beneath such circumstances. Orange and yellow alerts sign progressively decrease however nonetheless vital dangers, with native authorities deciding on closures and evacuations primarily based on micro-forecasts and floor circumstances.

Whereas Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have already declared holidays for faculties in susceptible coastal districts, the Tamil Nadu authorities has not introduced a statewide vacation but. District administrations are monitoring circumstances intently and can determine on any further closures primarily based on evolving native climate. Residents and college students are suggested to remain up to date by way of official channels and native authorities.
The cyclone, which intensified from a deep melancholy over the Southeast Bay of Bengal into Cyclonic Storm Montha, is anticipated to strengthen right into a extreme cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning, with wind speeds reaching as much as 100 km/h, earlier than making landfall between Machilipatnam and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday night.