Chennai: Schools in Chennai and four neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu were shut on Wednesday, October 21, after heavy rain lashed the region through the night and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast further intense showers, IANS reported. District Collectors declared the holiday in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, and Ranipet district also announced a school holiday, taking the total to five districts, according to reports by Latestly and Careers360.

Chennai District Collector S. Malathi Helen ordered the closure of schools across the district as a precaution after the overnight downpour, IANS reported, and Tiruvallur Collector Kavitha issued a similar order citing continuous rain. The Collectors of Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu issued corresponding announcements after heavy showers in their districts.

Rainfall data from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) showed Meenambakkam received 12 cm of rain and Nungambakkam 11 cm by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by Taramani (10 cm), Madhavaram (9 cm), and Villivakkam and Nandanam (8 cm each).

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Sameeran urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from waterlogged areas, IANS reported via NewKerala. He said evacuation operations were under way in affected localities, civic teams were responding to complaints including uprooted trees and interruptions to electricity supply, most stagnant-water complaints had come from Manali and Madhavaram, and residents could report problems on the corporation helpline 1913.

The IMD said a low-pressure area was likely to form on Wednesday over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast, and that under its influence heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26. Another low-pressure area was also considered likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal on October 23, and orange alerts were issued for parts of southern Tamil Nadu.

Sources: IANS (via NewKerala and hi INDiA, October 21, 2026); Livemint (October 21, 2026); Latestly (October 21, 2026); Careers360 (October 21, 2026).