Chennai rains: IMD issues ‘orange’ alert; are schools, colleges open?

Chennai rains: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for seven districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, on October 17. Further, some other parts of the state have been issued a yellow alert for the day.
In its last update, the Met department said that a depression over the Bay of Bengal is causing heavy downpours and flooding, adding that it is likely to pass over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh today.
TN Chief Minister MK Stalin said that water stagnation in most places has been cleared and announced that food will be served free of cost in Amma canteens in Chennai today, “to support poor and ordinary people”.
Heavy rain is likely in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi, Kancheepuram, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Villupuram districts and Puducherry.
As per the IMD update, southern Andhra Pradesh, many parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and southern Karnataka are set to experience rainfall.
According to the IMD, an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal has caused heavy rainfall in South India. Waterlogging was reported in several parts of the state, including Chennai. Visuals showed people wading through knee-deep waters in Chennai as several parts of the city reeled under a flood due to rainfall. Streets and roads were flooded with muddy water following heavy rainfall.
(With inputs from Agencies)