Cyclone Ditwah: Schools, Colleges Shut in Chennai and Nearby Districts Amid Heavy Rain Alert

Schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram will remain closed on December 2 as authorities declared a precautionary holiday following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

District collectors announced late Monday that all educational institutions would be shut, citing weather alerts and the need to ensure student safety amid the risk of intense rain and waterlogging, ANI reported. Residents were urged to avoid unnecessary travel and follow advisories issued by the state government and disaster management agencies.

State Disaster Management Minister K. K. S. S. R. Ramachandran said three people have died in rain-related incidents caused by the cyclone.

Heavy Rains Lash Chennai, Nearby Districts

Chennai and surrounding districts continued to experience steady downpours on Monday, flooding major roads, highways and several low-lying neighbourhoods. Waterlogging marooned AGS Colony in Velachery, while a car sank and a government bus was stranded in Poonamallee after sudden inundation. Traffic jams were reported in several parts of the city, including the Kathipara flyover.

According to the India Meteorological Department, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Chennai and Tiruvallur until Tuesday morning as the remnants of Cyclone Ditwah hover near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coasts.

Stalin Orders Immediate Compensation

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said he has ordered immediate disbursal of compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for damage to paddy crops, loss of human lives and livestock, and destruction of homes during the northeast monsoon.

“I am directly monitoring the work to drain rainwater in all flood-affected areas,” Stalin said in a post on X, assuring that essential facilities would be provided to people in relief camps for as long as needed.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with senior ministers and officials, reviewed relief efforts at the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Integrated Command and Control Centre.

Officials said swift action had kept all 22 subways in Chennai free of water stagnation. The civic body deployed 1,496 motor pumps, heavy-duty suction equipment and medical teams across the city; more than 22,000 personnel have been mobilised for relief operations.

A flood warning has been issued for the Adyar, Kosasthalaiyar and Araniar rivers due to rising inflows expected across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts.