Tamil Nadu Rain Live Updates: State braces for heavy rain amid IMD's 'red' alert, schools shut in 4 districts

The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, with its center currently located about 310km southeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. The system, which has been moving north-northwest at a speed of 12km/h for the past six hours, is likely to further strengthen into a cyclonic storm by November 27. As of 8.30am today, the deep depression was around 590km south-southeast of Nagappattinam, 710km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 800km south-southeast of Chennai. The storm is projected to continue its north-northwestward movement, passing close to the Sri Lankan coastline before making its way toward the Tamil Nadu coast over the next two days.

With IMD issuing a red alert for some delta districts on November 26 and 27, district collectors A P Mahabharathi in Mayiladuthurai and P Akash in Nagapattinam held meetings with officials of various departments at the collectorate to review precautionary measures. The weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a depression on Monday morning. Mahabharathi instructed officials to monitor and step up vigilance around water bodies and low-lying areas prone to flooding. Tractors, excavators and other machinery are to be maintained in working condition. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. A separate WhatsApp group comprising 28 fishing hamlets has been created to issue flood-related warnings. Apart from this, 11 safety centres and 362 relief centres have been set up. Around 4,500 frontline responders are on standby with rescue boats and swimmers. A special helpline number, 04364-222588, has been provided to report rain-related damages. In Nagapattinam, district collector P Akash has declared holiday for all schools and colleges in the district on Tuesday.

With a weather system intensifying into a depression over the Bay of Bengal, the IMD on Monday issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in three central districts on November 26 and two more districts on November 27.

The Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 8.30am today, the November 26, 2024 over the same region about 310 km southeast of Trincomalee, 590 km south-southeast of Nagappattinam, 710 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 800 km south-southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on November 27. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast skirting Sri Lanka coast during subsequent 2 days.

The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression.

A deep depression is when the system carries a sustained wind speed of 50 to 61kmph. It is one notch below tropical cyclone which has a wind speed of 62 to 88kmph.

Moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning likely at a few places over Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts of Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area.

Schools and colleges remain closed in several regions of Tamil Nadu today due to severe rainfall conditions. Educational authorities have announced a holiday for schools and colleges in the Delta districts, including Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur, following predictions of heavy precipitation in the area.

As a weather system developed into a depression over the Bay, the IMD on Monday issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in three central districts on Nov 26 and two districts on Nov 27. The yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Chennai was retained from Nov 27 to 29. Neighbouring Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpet districts received both yellow and orange alerts from Nov 27 to 30. As of Monday night, the depression, moving at a speed of 18 kmph, was 740 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam and 940 km south-southeast of Chennai. It is expected to intensify into a deep depression within 12 hours and move toward the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coasts in the next two days.

Delhi's air quality slightly improved to 'very poor' on Tuesday morning, with an AQI of 382, after experiencing 'severe' levels the previous week. Schools are instructed to operate in a hybrid mode (online and offline) for all classes until further notice, following a Supreme Court order and CAQM guidelines.

Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Monday, with the AQI rising from 285 ('poor') in the morning to 369 ('very poor') by evening, and several locations touching 'severe' levels, such as Bawana (425) and Wazirpur (423). Slowing winds contributed to the accumulation of pollutants, reversing Sunday’s temporary relief provided by moderate winds.

PM2.5 levels spiked to 294 µg/m³, nearly five times the safe limit. GRAP-IV restrictions remain in force, with air quality expected to worsen to 'severe' in coming days, as per IITM's early warning system.

A yellow fog alert is issued for November 28-29, with winds expected to slow, further enabling smog formation. Stubble burning contributed 11.1% to Delhi's pollution on Monday, with transport and residential emissions also playing significant roles.

Despite GRAP Stage IV curbs, including a truck ban and construction halts, smog persists in NCR, with visibility remaining poor and AQI stuck in the 'very poor' category.

Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has improved slightly, moving from the ‘severe’ to the ‘very poor’ category. However, experts caution residents to remain vigilant and continue taking precautions. Authorities emphasized the need for strict adherence to pollution control measures to sustain the improvement.

While Punjab and Haryana have shown significant progress in curbing stubble burning, NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh recorded a rise in farm fire incidents, increasing from 72 in 2022 to 192 this year. The environment ministry stated that such episodic events, combined with adverse meteorological conditions, continue to aggravate winter pollution.

Haryana recorded a 42% reduction in farm fires this year compared to 2023, with a 70% decline since 2020. Experts attribute the drop to timely withdrawal of rains, better access to farming machinery, and stricter monitoring by the state government. Punjab has also reported a sharp decrease in incidents during the stubble-burning season.

Schools across NCR have been directed by CAQM to conduct classes in a hybrid mode, combining online and offline teaching. The decision follows a Supreme Court order allowing some relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions. While the move aims to address accessibility concerns, schools are grappling with logistical challenges, including teacher availability and timetable adjustments.

The Supreme Court on Monday criticized authorities for failing to enforce GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR. It directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take strict action under Section 14 of the CAQM Act against non-compliance. The court highlighted lapses by Delhi Police and state authorities in implementing truck bans and other measures, calling for immediate accountability.