Overview
- The low-pressure area lingers over the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka, prompting a yellow alert and isolating the heaviest Tuesday risk to Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi and Theni.
- After widespread rain and waterlogging on Monday, Chennai moved from an orange to a yellow alert, with moderate showers expected as the week progresses.
- Puducherry and Karaikal shut all schools and colleges for November 18, and Cuddalore declared a school holiday, while other districts said closures would depend on local conditions.
- State and city agencies ramped readiness, including wider releases from Red Hills, Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs, deployment of pumps, and round-the-clock control rooms.
- Meteorologists say a new low is likely to form over the southeast Bay around November 22 and may strengthen by November 24, potentially extending the wet spell; fishermen were advised to avoid rough seas with winds up to 55 km/h.