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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall at isolated places in Tamil Nadu on December 3 due to the impact of cyclone Ditwah, Wednesday. Several parts of northern Tamil Nadu on Tuesday continued to witness rains and the death count in the rain-related incidents has risen to four. Heavy rains caused flooding in low-lying areas and traffic snarls, the deep depression weakened into a depression and it is very likely to become a well-marked low-pressure area, the IMD said.

Chennai, on an average, received 15 cm rainfall in the last 24 hours (Dec 1-2).Chennai is also likely to experience moderate rainfall on Wednesday. The deep depression (remnant of cyclonic storm Ditwah) over west-central and adjoining areas of southwest Bay of Bengal and North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts remained practically stationary about 25 km from the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts. "It is very likely to recurve slowly southwestwards and weaken into a depression during the next 06 hours," the weather office said.

Orange alert for Chennai

Chennai and most of coastal Tamil Nadu are on an orange alert, according to the latest update from the IMD. The alert is also active in coastal Andhra Pradesh districts, including Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, and extends up to Krishna. Tirupathi remains under a yellow alert, along with most of Andhra Pradesh.

Chennai has been experiencing relentless downpours in the past few days, resulting in severe waterlogging across major roads and residential neighbourhoods. Vehicles crawled through submerged stretches, and several arterial roads were clogged with traffic as commuters struggled to navigate flood-hit areas.

ALSO READ: Chennai school holiday on December 2: Schools in Tamil Nadu to remain shut today after Cyclone Ditwah brings heavy rainfall. Check details

Heavy rainfall warning in Nilgiris, Coimbatore

According to the IMD, Light to moderate rain at many places with thunderstorm and lightning are likely at one or two places in Tamil Nadu and over Puducherry & Karaikal area. "Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Nilgiris, Erode and Coimbatore districts," the IMD said in a weather bulletin.

"Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Theni, Dindigul,

Tiruppur, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Salem and Namakkal districts," it added. "Strong surface winds with speed reaching 35-45 kmph is likely to prevail over isolated places at times over Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal," it added.

ALSO READ: Weather today: Chennai, Andhra Pradesh on high rainfall alert; IMD warns of more cold waves in Delhi, Punjab. Check latest update

Schools closed in Chennai today

Chennai district collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the city on Wednesday due to heavy rain. Schools in Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts will also remain shut today. Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts were shut on December 2 too due to intense rainfall.

The University of Madras has announced the postponement of all UG, PG and professional degree theory examinations scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, due to heavy rainfall in the region. In a notice issued by Registrar Prof. Rita John, the university stated that revised dates for the examinations will be announced shortly. Students appearing for the November 2025 examinations have been advised to stay updated with official notifications from the university.

Puducherry schools shut today

In view of the heavy rainfall warning caused by Cyclone Ditwah, Education Minister A. Namachivayam announced that all government, government-aided, and private schools in Puducherry will be closed today, reports ANI. The statement said: "Due to heavy rain warning, all government and government-aided schools and private schools in Puducherry will be declared holiday tomorrow (03/12/25), Wednesday." Additionally, schools and colleges across Tiruvallur, Chennai, and Kancheepuram districts were closed on Monday. The decision was taken by district authorities as a precautionary measure.ALSO READ: Bengaluru weather update: Why Bangalore feels like Shimla and will the city see more chilly days ahead? Check IMD prediction



The weather office has also indicated that rainfall activity will continue from Wednesday until December 5 in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, accompanied by thunder and lightning in some areas. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors wherever possible, and follow safety advisories as the depression continues to linger near the Tamil Nadu coast.

(With inputs from agencies)