Schools shut in Chennai and four Tamil Nadu districts as heavy rains pound the state

Schools across Chennai and four other districts in Tamil Nadu declared a holiday on Wednesday as heavy rainfall continued to lash the state, prompting authorities to act on concerns over flooding and the safety of students.

The Regional Meteorological Centre warned that a fresh weather system positioned over the Bay of Bengal is likely to sustain intense rainfall across the state through October 26, raising the prospect of further disruption in the days ahead.

Rains had already been pounding parts of Tamil Nadu through Tuesday night, carrying on into Wednesday morning. Several areas of Chennai experienced waterlogging as water accumulated on roads and in low-lying neighbourhoods, adding to flood risks across the region.

Districts surrounding Chennai were also placed on alert, with officials citing the dual threat of persistent heavy rain and potential flooding as the primary reasons for closing educational institutions for the day.