Schools in India’s Tamil Nadu closed following heavy rainfall

NEW DELHI: NOV. 3 – Local government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday ordered the closure of all schools in 20 districts in the wake of heavy rainfall.

According to officials, the move has been taken for the safety of students.

“Schools have been closed in 20 districts including the capital city Chennai,” an official at the disaster management authority department said.

“Today schools in the districts of Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Thiruvalllur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ranipet, Trichy, Ariyalur, Namakkal Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Vellore and Karur have been closed. On Tuesday, holidays for schools in nine districts was announced because of rains.”

Several parts of Tamil Nadu have seen heavy rainfall since Sunday.

Authorities have ordered the school administrations to ensure no water stagnation takes place in and around schools.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy-to-very heavy rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu for the next five days. The weather department has predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in some areas in Chennai.

Last month heavy rains hit adjacent Kerala state, triggering waterlogging and landslides which killed 42 people.

-Xinhua