As Tamil Nadu continues to recover from days of heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, many parents and students are waiting for clarity on whether schools will remain closed on December 5 (Friday). While several districts announced holidays earlier this week, the decision for Friday is still pending and will depend on the latest weather conditions.
Schools Shut on December 4 in Chennai and Tiruvallur
On Wednesday (December 4), schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur remained closed due to waterlogging and disrupted transport. Officials said they will take a call regarding December 5 after reviewing the ground situation and checking updated weather forecasts.
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A brief break in the persistent rain allowed sunshine to return to parts of Chennai on Wednesday, offering much-needed relief after almost a week of cloudy skies and flooding. However, officials say this does not mean conditions have fully normalised across the district.
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Weather System Weakens but Caution Continues
According to weather agencies, the low-pressure system responsible for the heavy downpour has weakened into a less-marked disturbance. However, an upper-air cyclonic circulation remains active over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep region.
Because of this, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has placed 13 districts including Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Villuppuram, Nilgiris, Coimbatore (ghat areas), Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi along with Puducherry under a yellow alert for Thursday.
Will There Be a School Holiday on today, December 5?
District administrations in rain-hit areas had already declared school holidays on December 3 and 4 for the worst-affected pockets:
- Chennai
- Tiruvallur
- Kancheepuram
- Chengalpattu
But Friday, December 5, has not been officially declared a holiday yet. Officials are expected to review road conditions, waterlogging, and safety concerns later today before making a decision.
Based on the improving weather, schools are likely to reopen. However, several interior roads remain damaged, and many residential areas are still dealing with standing water. Authorities may still decide on a precautionary holiday in some districts.
Parents Advised to Wait for Official Updates
While most colleges remain open, individual institutions may choose to set their own schedules depending on local conditions. For now, Tamil Nadu families will need to wait for the final decision expected by this evening.