Following heavy rains in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the state government declared a holiday for schools in 20 districts on Wednesday.

Schools in Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ranipet, Trichy, Ariyalur, Namakkal Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Vellore, and Karur will be closed today.

To avoid accidents caused by water stagnation, schools have also been instructed to ensure that water stagnation is removed at its earliest.

Since Sunday, several parts of Tamil Nadu have been receiving heavy showers. Due to the rains on Tuesday, the government had declared holidays for schools in nine districts.

The state has also declared November 5 as an additional holiday for Diwali.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy rain in the Tamil Nadu districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvannamalai.

Thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected to occur in isolated areas across Tamil Nadu’s Vellore, Ranipet, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Delta districts, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal areas, according to the department.