Rains lash Tamil Nadu; schools closed in many districts on October 23

School students are back home after a declared holiday due to rain in Vellore on October 23, 2026. | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy Heavy rain from the active northeast monsoon lashed Tamil Nadu, forcing several districts to declare a holiday for schools on Friday (October 23, 2026).Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Vellore, Puducherry, and Karaikal districts were among those that witnessed heavy rain, which led authorities to declare holidays for schools on Friday (October 23, 2026).The IMD predicted moderate to heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry until October 26. Heavy rain is anticipated in Tiruvallur, Villuppuram, Tiruchirappalli, Erode, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Namakkal, Tiruppur, and Karur districts. General moderate rainfall is expected over the next two days in Chennai and its neighbourhood, with potential for heavy downpour on October 24 and 25.The Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai has issued an Orange Alert on its website for heavy rain.(With PTI inputs) Published - October 23, 2026 08:30 am IST