Schools to Remain Closed Today in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli District

The southern districts of Tamil Nadu including Tirunelveli, Thenkasi, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi have been receiving heavy rains continuously. There was heavy rain in the coastal areas of these 4 districts, the adjoining towns, and a few places in other areas due to which the areas were flooded. As the flood water has not receded in many places, school and college holidays have been announced in Nellai district. While only schools will remain closed in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts today, December 20.

Furthermore, the district collector has announced a local holiday for the Tuticorin district today. Accordingly, holidays have been given to schools, colleges, government, private and public sector organizations in the Tuticorin district. The District Collector has also announced that January 6 will be a working day to compensate for this holiday.

However, this leave does not apply to departmental officers providing essential services. It means that the holiday does not apply to all departmental officers involved in revenue, police, fire, local government, drinking water, milk, fuel, restaurant workers, and flood relief work.

As per media reports, Anna University has postponed exams in its affiliated colleges in the Nellai, Tenkasi, and Tuticorin districts due to heavy rains. Besides, the Tamil Nadu half-yearly exams in Chennai and other areas impacted by floods which were postponed due to Cyclone Michaung have been postponed yet again. Exams slated to be conducted on December 7 were rescheduled to December 14 to 20 but it stands postponed yet again.

Due to the immense rainfall that lashed several parts of southern districts in Tamil Nadu for the last two days, nearly 10 people have lost their lives. While some people lost their lives due to wall collapse, others died due to electrocution, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said. He also said that the forecast of the India Meteorological Department was ‘wrong’ as the southern districts received extremely heavy rainfall in the last two days and not heavy rainfall.