Chennai: Due to ongoing heavy rainfall, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and five other districts on October 16.

Essential services will continue to operate as normal.

Chennai and its surrounding districts have been experiencing heavy rain due to the onset of the Northeast Monsoon.

The downpour has affected 42 locations across Tamil Nadu today alone, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts.

Later in the day the government declared holiday for schools , colleges in Ranipet and Salem.

In response, the Tamil Nadu government has announced a holiday for schools and colleges in these four districts on October 16.

Despite the closure of educational institutions, essential services such as police, fire and rescue, hospitals, banks, and public transportation—including Chennai Metro Rail and the MRTS—will remain operational.

Shops, restaurants, and other businesses will also continue to function normally.

Private companies have been advised to minimize staff presence or encourage employees to work from home, ensuring safety during the ongoing heavy rains.