Tamil Nadu braces for Cyclone Fengal as a deep depression intensifies in the Bay of Bengal. Heavy rainfall warnings are in effect, prompting school closures and deployment of disaster response teams.

Amid forecast of heavy torrential rainfall due to Cyclone Fengal, authorities have decided to close schools and colleges in Chennai, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai,

Heavy rains have lashed Tamil Nadu over the past 24 hours, with close to 20 districts reporting significant rainfall, according to data from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

A red alert is issued for extremely heavy rain in Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai on Wednesday, while Chennai remains under a yellow alert.

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Fengal, triggering heavy rain across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Several districts, including Chennai, witnessed traffic disruptions due to waterlogged streets,

The weather department predicted that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal would turn into a cyclonic storm on November 27 and is expected to impact parts of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges today in several districts including Chennai.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for rain for Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal in Puducherry.

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is intensifying and expected to become a cyclonic storm, named Fengal, by November 27. It's currently southeast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, and moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast.