Are Chennai schools open or closed today? What authorities said amid Cyclone Ditwah

CHennai woke up to heavily rain down on mon forenoon as Cyclone Ditwah weakened into a late depression. Amid rain fury in the southern state and more downpour expected, all schools and colleges across Chennai and several neighbouring districts will remain closed on December 1.The precautionary holiday covers government, private, and aided educational institutions, extending across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and other rain-hit districts, said a report by the Mint. Authorities said the move aims to ensure public safety as Cyclone Ditwah, now weakened into a deep depression, continues to push bands of heavy rain onto the coast, triggering widespread waterlogging.ALSO READ | Cyclone Ditwah: Storm weakens into deep depression, more rain expected in Tamil NaduDistricts under high alertThe weather office has placed several regions under heightened alert due to persistent rainfall. The following districts are expected to see intense rainfall, strong winds and possible flooding through the day, with an ‘Orange’ alert issued:ChennaiTiruvallurKancheepuramChengalpattuMayiladuthuraiNagapattinamTiruvarurKaraikalThe following regions are likely to receive isolated heavy showers as the system tracks northward, with a ‘Yellow’ alert issued:VilluppuramCuddaloreThanjavurPudukkottaiRamanathapuramThoothukudiTirunelveliKanyakumariPuducherry also declares holidayIn neighbouring Puducherry, Education Minister A Namassivayam announced that all schools, government and private, will remain shut on Monday as the Union Territory braces for heavy rainfall linked to Cyclone Ditwah’s outer bands, said a report by news agency PTI.ALSO READ | Cyclone Ditwah updates: Toll crosses 300 in Sri Lanka as storm weakens; stranded Indians evacuatedCyclone Ditwah latest updateAs of late November 30, Cyclone Ditwah weakened into a deep depression while drifting northwards at 5 kmph. The system hovered close to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline, roughly 140 km south-southeast of Chennai, and is expected to parallel the coast before losing strength further today.Even in its weakened form, Ditwah is packing enough moisture to fuel continuous downpours over north Tamil Nadu.Rainfall and thunderstorm outlookThe IMD forecast warns of heavy rain over north Tamil Nadu on December 1. Intense showers are likely over Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, and Telangana through December 2. Thunderstorms and lightning across Tamil Nadu and adjoining regions are likely until December 3.