Heavy Rains Lash Chennai: Orange alert issued; Schools closed in multiple districts

Heavy overnight rain triggered flooding and waterlogging across Chennai and nearby districts, prompting authorities to close all schools on Monday, 17 November 2025. The IMD has issued an orange alert for several regions in Tamil Nadu, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 17 November 2025, 10:28 AM IST

Chennai Schools Shut as IMD Sounds Orange Alert

Chennai: Heavy rains since late Sunday night have disrupted normal life in Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, and surrounding districts. The continuous downpour has caused waterlogging and submerged roads in many areas, prompting the district administration to close all government, private, and aided schools on Monday, November 17.

Appeal to avoid unnecessary travel

The district administration has appealed to parents and students to avoid unnecessary travel due to the inclement weather. Increasing waterlogging in many areas has also affected vehicular movement. Officials have warned that the weather could worsen in the next 24 hours.

Chennai Rain Alert: IMD Forecasts Heavy Showers, Warns of Slippery Roads and Traffic Jams

Holiday in Chennai and surrounding districts

Schools will remain closed on Monday in these districts:

• Chennai: Schools closed due to heavy rain and waterlogging.
• Chengalpattu: Officials have declared a holiday due to the continuous downpour.
• Tiruvallur: Schools closed due to the possibility of waterlogging.
• Kanchipuram: Heavy rain continues, schools likely to close following local orders.
• Southern Tamil Nadu: Weather normal, decision on opening or closing schools depends on local administration.

IMD issues orange alert for 8 districts

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Karaikal for Monday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in these areas.

The department stated that due to a low-pressure system formed in the Bay of Bengal, rainfall is expected to intensify in the northern parts of the state over the next 24 hours.

Yellow alert in several districts

Yellow alert is issued in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected here.

Weather Update: Severe cold wave to grip north India: Delhi-NCR on high alert

Chennai Weather Today

Chennai will remain cloudy throughout the day on Monday. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for many areas. Temperatures will remain between 29 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Schools to Remain Open in Other States

While schools are closed in several districts of Tamil Nadu today, schools in Delhi-NCR, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana will remain open as usual.

Regular classes are continuing in schools in Bihar after the assembly elections, while the weather remains normal in other states of North India.