Cyclone Montha Triggers School Closures in Northern Tamil Nadu

On October 28, 2025, the Tamil Nadu government has announced a school holiday in Chennai and nearby districts as Cyclone Montha continues to intensify over the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the northern parts of the state.

Chennai District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade has declared a holiday for all schools in the city on October 29, 2025, following continuous rainfall triggered by Cyclone Montha. Schools in Tiruvallur district will also remain closed due to similar weather conditions.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), four northern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram, recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27, 2025. The RMC has stated that Cyclone Montha is currently positioned about 480 km east of Chennai and is expected to move in a north-northwesterly direction, crossing the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm by the evening or night of October 28, 2025.

While the cyclone's impact on Tamil Nadu is expected to remain moderate, with heavy rain confined mainly to northern coastal areas, the state government is well-prepared to handle the effects. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has assured citizens that the government is fully prepared to respond to the situation.

The RMC has issued heavy rainfall warnings for several districts in Tamil Nadu, and authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain cautious and follow official advisories. With schools closed, disaster teams on alert, and drainage systems under inspection, the state is bracing for moderate impact while ensuring public safety.