The India Meteorological Department has maintained the red alert issued in Chennai and its surrounding districts for November 18 as the city is likely to receive extremely heavy rains.

Following incessant rains, many districts in Tamil Nadu have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Thursday.

While the district administrations of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Vellore, Perambalur, Villupuram and Ariyalur districts have declared holiday for schools and colleges, in  Dindigul, Tiruchi, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri all schools have been ordered to shut today.

Also read: TN seeks ₹2,629 crore relief from Centre for rain-related damages

In Tirupattur, Collector Amar Kushwaha, declared holiday for all primary schools (Class 1-5) in the district today due to rain.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the low-pressure area over south-east and south-west Bay of Bengal, with the associated cyclonic circulation, is likely to move westwards and reach west-central and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal off the south Andhra Pradesh-north Tamil Nadu coast by November 18. This will be the major trigger for widespread rain over the State, especially in Chennai.

Here are the latest updates:

10.30 am

Tiruppur records highest rainfall

According to a latest IMD release, many weather stations have been receiving heavy rains during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday.

Kundalam in Tiruppur district received 20 cm, the day’s highest amount of rainfall recorded across the State, the IMD said. — K. Lakshmi

10.10 am

Weather system to turn into depression

The satellite image released by the IMD shows the weather system.  

Many places in and around Chennai received moderate rains till Thursday, November 18, 2021, morning. The weather system is likely to further intensify into a depression in the next 12 hours. The Meteorological department has not made changes to the red alert issued to Chennai and surrounding districts so far.

According to a bulletin issued at 8.30 a.m., the low pressure area now lies as a well marked low pressure area over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal off north TN-south AP coasts with an associated cyclonic circulation. It is likely to intensify into a depression on Thursday.

The department forecast a heavy to very heavy rain spell may occur over north Tamil Nadu particularly Chennai and neighbouring districts with extremely heavy rains at one or two places. Parts of south Tamil Nadu may experience heavy rainfall.

9.20 am

550 acres of paddy crop inundated in Tiruchi

About 550 acres of standing paddy crop have been affected by water inundation in the district.

According to a survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture, as of Monday, Tiruverumbur is the most affected block in the district.

8.45 am

Water level in Mullaperiyar dam reaches 141 ft

The water level in the Mullaperiyar dam has touched 141 feet at 5.30 am on Thursday, November 18, 2021, according to the Assistant Engineer, Thekkady.

8.20 am

Holiday in Puducherry

Holiday has been declared for schools  in Puducherry and Karaikal on Thursday following heavy rains. — Dinesh Verma

7.55 am

Holiday declared for educational institutions

Following incessant rains, many districts in Tamil Nadu have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Holiday has been declared for Annamalai University in Chidambaram due to rain.

While the district administrations of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Vellore, Perambalur, Villupuram and Ariyalur districts have declared holiday for schools and colleges, in Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri all schools have been ordered to shut today. — Our bureau

7.50 am

Chennai braces for another spell of heavy rain

With Chennai set to get another spell of intense rain on Thursday, Greater Chennai Corporation has kept 769 pumps ready at different vulnerable locations that faced flooding during the rain recently.

These included at least 50 heavy duty pumps that were of a capacity of 50 horsepower or more.

7.45 am

Chennai, surrounding districts continue to be on red alert

The India Meteorological Department has maintained the red alert issued in Chennai and its surrounding districts for November 18 as the city is likely to receive extremely heavy rain. Rain will continue over Tamil Nadu till November 21.

7.30 am

Record realisation of Cauvery water in November

Tamil Nadu’s realisation of Cauvery water this month has set a record of sorts as it has crossed the monthly average, as worked out on the basis of the 30-year (1991-2020) data and as recorded at Biligundulu.

As of November 16, the State received 30.38 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) against the figure of 27.9 tmc ft.

(With inputs from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Bureaus)