Cyclone Senyar: Are schools, banks, offices open or closed on 26 November in Tamil Nadu? Check details

Cyclone Senyar: With several areas of Tamil Nadu already experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) cautioning that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal may strengthen into Cyclone “Senyar,” many are wondering whether schools, banks and offices will remain open or closed on Wednesday, 26 November.

Since no official announcement has been issued yet for schools, parents are children are advised to stay in touch with their respective institutions for updates before heading out. Similarly, authorities have not shared any updates on whether banks and offices will remain closed.

According to reports, schools were previously closed on 24 November across several districts, including Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Kallakurichi, Ramanathapuram, Puducherry (UT), Virudhunagar, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Karur, Cuddalore, Madurai, and Salem.

What did IMD say?

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 23rd–28th. Heavy rainfall very likely over Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Mahe during 23rd–25th; Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during 23rd & 24th, Rayalaseema on 23rd, with very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Mahe on 23rd & 24th November,” IMD said.

Meanwhile, on 28 November, very heavy rain is likely in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal, while Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, and Mayiladuthurai may receive heavy rainfall, according to a Times of India report.

By 29 November, the rain belt is expected to shift northward, bringing heavy to very heavy rain to Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpet, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Puducherry. Several other districts, including Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, Vellore, and Karaikal, may also experience heavy showers.

Tiruvallur is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on 30 November, while districts such as Chennai, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Puducherry may see heavy rain. Recent observations show that several areas in Tamil Nadu have already recorded significant rainfall, with some southern stations reporting between 10 cm and 23 cm over the past few days.

On Monday, several areas in Tamil Nadu registered significant rain. Parangipettai in Cuddalore received 4.5 cm, Kanyakumari got 2 cm, and Nagapattinam recorded 1.3 cm by 7:30 pm. Light showers fell over Chennai, with Nungambakkam measuring 3.4 mm and Meenambakkam 0.7 mm.

In recent days, intense rainfall across southern Tamil Nadu resulted in 22 weather stations reporting between 10 and 20 cm of rain within a 24-hour period. Oothu in Tirunelveli saw the highest at 23 cm, followed by Nalumukku with 22 cm. Sethiathope in Cuddalore and Kakkachi in Tirunelveli each logged 21 cm, while Manjolai recorded 19 cm.