In the wake of heavy rainfall warning in Tamil Nadu, authorities have declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Thursday in Chennai district.

Chennai collector Shanmugha Sundaram on Wednesday declared a holiday for all the educational institutions in the district.

According to reports, schools in six other districts will also remain closed following predictions of incessant rainfall in and around Chennai region.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has predicted “likely heavy intermittent rains or thundershower” in and around Chennai region. It has also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region with a very likely occurrence probability.

Chennai and its neighbouring districts saw heavy rain on Wednesday evening as well due to a well-marked low pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

“Due to heavy rains in Chennai and its surrounding Madras University cancels exams scheduled on 22nd November. Rescheduled date for this exam will be announced soon,” said a statement from Madras University.

“Exams conducted by the University Departments on 22nd November 2018 are also cancelled,” the university said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami will brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday about the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja and seek a comprehensive central assistance package to tide over the situation.

46 people were killed as Cyclone Gaja ripped through Nagapattinam early on Friday uprooting trees and snapping power lines leaving a trail of destruction in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu.

The cyclonic storm crossed Tamil Nadu’s coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam early hours on Friday, bringing in heavy rains in the coastal regions.

According to officials, ten men and three women died and 28 head of cattle perished in cyclone related incidents despite authorities evacuating as many as 81,948 people to 471 relief centres in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Tiruvarur districts.

Expressing grief over the deaths, Chief Minister K Palaniswami had sanctioned a solatium of Rs 1 million to the kin of those who died and Rs 25,000-Rs 100,000 for the injured.

(With agency inputs)