The India Meteorological Department in its latest weather update has warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm in Tamil Nadu for the next few days. The depression over west central Bay of Bengal has moved closer to North Chennai and has weakened into a well-marked low pressure area,

The India Meteorological Department had forecast very heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning and squalls on Wednesday for coastal, north interior and south interior parts of Karnataka.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for seven districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Vellore, and Ranipet. A yellow alert has also been issued for certain areas of the state on Thursday,

Even as Chennai continues to batter heavy rainfall for the past few days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has lowered the Red alert for Chennai and adjoining districts to an orange alert on October 17.

In Tamil Nadu, heavy rains are expected in Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chennai, the IMD said

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai and six other Tamil Nadu districts due to heavy rain from a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Waterlogging has been reported, prompting food support in Amma canteens for affected residents.

As several southern states continue to be lashed by heavy rainfall, the respective state governments have instructed the district officials to announce school holidays. Parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have been reeling under heavy showers for a few days now.

Schools across Chennai and parts of Andhra Pradesh were closed on Wednesday due to incessant rainfall and IMD's warning.

In the wake of this cyclonic storm, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to lash parts of Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh and very heavy rainfall over Kerala & South Interior Karnataka today,