Is your child's school closed today in Chennai? The remnants of Cyclone Ditwah are causing significant disruption, and the situation is evolving rapidly. Let's break down what you need to know, in plain English.
Updated on: December 3, 2025, at 9:37 AM IST
The core of the issue? Cyclone Ditwah, now a deep depression, is positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal. It's heading towards the Chennai–Puducherry and southern Andhra Pradesh coastline. This means more rain, even though the cyclone has weakened. This weather pattern is significantly impacting daily life.
Schools in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu have been closed due to the cyclone's effects. The Chennai Collector, Rashmi Siddharth Zagade, has ordered all schools and colleges in Chennai to remain closed on Wednesday, December 3rd. The reason? Continuous overnight rain and the resulting waterlogging in low-lying areas.
But here's where it gets interesting: It's not just Chennai. Several other districts in Tamil Nadu are also affected. These include Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram, with schools and colleges closed for at least the day.
Adding another layer of complexity, some districts are observing local holidays. Tiruvannamalai is celebrating Karthigai Deepam, and Kanyakumari has a local holiday for the St. Xavier Church Kottar Festival.
What's the weather forecast saying?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chennai and most of coastal Tamil Nadu. This alert also extends to coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, including Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla, reaching up to Krishna. Tirupathi, along with most of Andhra Pradesh, is under a yellow alert. The IMD reported that the depression moved slowly south-southwestwards at a speed of 3 kmph and was centered 100 km south of Chennai at 11:30 PM. The minimum distance of the depression's center from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts is about 25 km. The IMD expects the depression to weaken into a low-pressure area within the next six hours.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with gusty winds ( 40–60 km/h ) and waterlogging are expected in several coastal regions.
And this is the part most people miss... The situation is dynamic. The weather patterns can change quickly. Always check with your local authorities for the most up-to-date information.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: Do you think the government's response to the cyclone has been adequate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
