Cyclone Montha prompts Tamil Nadu to shut schools in Chennai and surrounding areas

Chennai is witnessing cloudy weather with intermittent rain and increasing wind speeds as Cyclone Montha approaches. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that some areas of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry could see heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27–28.

Several districts in the state, particularly the Chennai metropolitan area and neighbouring coastal regions, have seen precautionary school closures, with local collectors announcing temporary holidays for schools and, in some cases, colleges, media reports said. Authorities advised residents in low-lying coastal areas to remain watchful for waterlogging and avoid non-essential travel during peak rainfall periods.

The IMD has placed Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet under an orange alert, signalling the likelihood of intense rainfall with thunderstorms. Ghat areas including Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, and Puducherry remain on yellow alert. Nine districts are expected to receive heavy rain on October 28, with Tiruvallur continuing under orange alert, while Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Theni, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and the ghat regions of Tirunelveli remain on yellow alert.

Red alerts indicate areas where very likely and severe impacts are expected; schools and public gatherings are routinely closed under such conditions. Orange and yellow alerts signal progressively lower but still significant risks, with local authorities deciding on closures and evacuations based on micro-forecasts and ground conditions.

While Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have already declared holidays for schools in vulnerable coastal districts, the Tamil Nadu government has not announced a statewide holiday yet. District administrations are monitoring conditions closely and will decide on any additional closures based on evolving local weather. Residents and students are advised to stay updated via official channels and local authorities.

The cyclone, which intensified from a deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal into Cyclonic Storm Montha, is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning, with wind speeds reaching up to 100 km/h, before making landfall between Machilipatnam and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday evening.