Overview
- District collectors closed schools on November 17 in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and nearby areas after overnight rain caused waterlogging and traffic disruption.
- The IMD maintained an orange alert for Chennai and adjoining coastal districts including Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Karaikal, with rain intensity forecast to shift toward southern Tamil Nadu on November 18 under yellow alerts.
- A low-pressure area persists over the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka with an associated cyclonic circulation and is moving slowly west-northwest.
- Preparedness measures are in force as the state opened control rooms, PWD monitored reservoirs and rivers, Chennai increased releases from Red Hills, Chembarambakkam and Poondi, and civic teams deployed pumps in flood-prone spots.
- Fishermen were advised to avoid the Gulf of Mannar and Kanniyakumari waters due to squally winds of 35–45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h, and forecasts extend rain risks to Kerala, coastal Andhra and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.