Chennai Schools Close Amid Cyclone Ditwah's Downpour

Post by : Mara Rahim

In response to the severe rain brought by Cyclone Ditwah, schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Kanchipuram districts will be suspended on December 2. District officials made this announcement late Monday as a safety measure to protect students.

Many students navigated flooded areas around their schools in Chennai due to the ongoing rainfall. The district collectors confirmed that all educational institutions in these regions would observe a holiday on December 2, following weather warnings from the state government. This closure aims to safeguard students from potential flooding and heavy rains.

Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and minimize travel, heeding the directives from the state government and disaster management agencies. The state’s Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran noted that three fatalities have occurred in Tamil Nadu linked to rain-triggered incidents from Cyclone Ditwah.

Chennai and surrounding districts were battered by heavy rain on Monday, resulting in the inundation of roads, highways, and low-lying neighborhoods. In Velachery, certain areas in AGS Colony were submerged, and a vehicle sank while a government bus became stuck in Poonamallee due to unexpected water accumulation. Traffic congestion was encountered throughout the city, specifically on the busy Kathipara flyover. Officials indicated that sudden flooding and potholes in service lanes contributed to vehicles becoming trapped.

The weather forecast predicts persistent heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts until Tuesday morning, as Cyclone Ditwah's remnants hover close to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. Residents are being warned to take necessary precautions, especially in prone areas.

Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that support from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) would be allocated to compensate for damages to crops, lives, livestock, and homes due to the northeast monsoon that commenced in October. He assured that the government is attentively monitoring efforts to drain floodwaters and will ensure relief camps are well-equipped.

Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, alongside other officials, examined the rain relief initiatives at the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Integrated Command and Control Centre. Officials confirmed that quick measures succeeded in keeping 22 subways in Chennai clear of stagnant water. Medical camps have been established in affected locales, with 1,496 motor pumps and "super sucker trucks" deployed for water removal. Approximately 22,000 personnel, including engineers and staff, have been mobilized to assist the community.

Moreover, a flood warning has been raised because of anticipated high water levels in rivers such as Adyar, Kosasthalaiyar, and Araniar, impacting Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chennai districts. Residents are advised to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and adhere to further authorities’ instructions.

The government is committed to orchestrating rescue efforts and furnishing assistance for those impacted by the torrential rain, ensuring safety and relief measures are firmly in place for all affected residents.