Rain alert: Holiday for schools, colleges in Chennai, 3 other districts; work from home for techies

Tamil Nadu government has announced holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts in view of the heavy rain forecast in the state. 

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has directed authorities to issue an advisory to IT firms to allow their employees to work from home from October 15 to 18.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Stalin to take review of the state’s preparedness as the Regional Meteorological Centre has predicted heavy rains in Tamil Nadu due to a low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal.

"It is likely to become a well marked low pressure area and move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next two days," the RMC said.

At the meeting with the chief minister, the Chennai Corporation Commissioner said they have readied 990 pumps and 57 tractors with pump sets. Thirty-six motorboats, 46 metric tons of bleach powder, 25 metric tons of lime powder, and phenol have also been kept ready.

Stalin has directed the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force in advance in the areas prone to be affected.

The chief minister also directed the district monitoring officers to immediately carry out the preparatory work, including relief and rehabilitation in coordination with the district administration.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said Tamil Nadu is fully prepared for the monsoon rains. “The CM has announced holidays for schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur as we expect heavy rains tomorrow. We have issued work-from-home orders (for private companies) so that people do not travel,” Udhayanidhi said.