CHENNAI: Schools and colleges in Chennai will remain closed on Tuesday (December 2), District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Jagade announced, following the torrential rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah’s remnant deep depression. The precautionary measure was taken to ensure the safety of students and staff as pockets of the city continue to receive showers.

Following Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur too declared rain holidays for schools and colleges.

Rains from the deep depression inundated major roads and subways across the city, bringing traffic to a halt. Key stretches, including Sholinganallur–Medavakkam, Manali–Thiruvottiyur, Madhya Kailash and North Boag Road, were left inaccessible due to heavy waterlogging. Police have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and use relatively clear corridors such as Anna Salai and Poonamallee High Road.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the remnant of Cyclone Ditwah remained a deep depression near the coast at 11.30 am, positioned about 50 km east of Chennai and 35 km from the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry shoreline, moving north at 3 kmph. The system is expected to drift slowly north along the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh coast, weaken by evening and pass within nearly 30 km of Chennai. Radars in Chennai and Sriharikota are monitoring its movement.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Tuesday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in and around Chennai. The Collector advised residents to avoid travel during intense spells. Disaster management teams and local bodies have been directed to clear waterlogging promptly and provide emergency support wherever needed. Essential services will continue to operate.

(With Bureau inputs)