Chennai is on high alert as a depression in the Bay of Bengal approaches the Tamil Nadu coast. In response, the Tamil Nadu government has initiated emergency services, advising residents to remain indoors and avoid travel.

The depression is currently centered about 490 kilometers southeast of Chennai and is expected to cross the northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore around the morning of October 17, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu on October 17. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 60 kilometers per hour along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh.

The Tamil Nadu government has activated emergency services, with disaster management teams and relief centers on standby. Residents are advised to stay indoors, refrain from unnecessary travel, and follow official advice and updates. Fishermen have been warned not to venture out to sea.

This depression is causing increased rainfall in the southeastern peninsula of India, marking the onset of northeast monsoon. The IMD is closely monitoring the situation and urges the public to stay informed through local news and official warnings.

In Andhra Pradesh, the State Disaster Management Agency (APSDMA) has identified areas likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, including West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, and NTR districts. Winds may blow at speeds of 55 kilometers per hour along the coast.

As the depression is expected to cross the coast soon, residents of Chennai are feeling heightened anxiety. Authorities have confirmed that emergency services are prepared, urging residents to take necessary precautions for their safety.

Due to heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four northern districts, including Thiruvallur, Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu, on Wednesday. All government offices, including public undertakings, corporations, and boards, will remain closed on Tuesday in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram.