A red alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department on Thursday for Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet as intense rainfall has begun over coastal Tamil Nadu since the early hours of Thursday.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has asked the public to stock up on food and necessities and to avoid going near water bodies or low-lying areas.

The Theni District Collector announced the closure of all schools and colleges today in the district in wake of heavy rainfall. Schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal have also been closed.

According to the IMD’s latest data, Kundhalam and Dharampuram in Tiruppur recorded the highest amount of rainfall in the last 24 hours. While Kundhalam received 20 cm of rain, Dharapuram received 13 cm.

The low-pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal now lies over South-east and adjoining South-west Bay of Bengal with the associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, the weather department has said.

The IMD’s forecast for November 18 further states, “Thunderstorm with heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Tirupattur and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu. Thunderstorm with heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Kallakurichi and Puducherry. Moderate rain is also likely to occur at most places over the rest districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal area.”