Schools shut in 6 Nilgiris taluks, Coimbatore bans special classes amid Tamil Nadu rain
Synopsis
A Bay of Bengal low-pressure system driving heavy rain across Tamil Nadu has forced school closures in six Nilgiris taluks and Coimbatore — and the weather department warns the system could strengthen into a cyclone, with more districts likely to be affected in the days ahead.
Key Takeaways
District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya ordered closure of all schools in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundah, Gudalur , and Pandalur taluks of the Nilgiris on 25 October 2025 .
Coimbatore district declared a school holiday and banned management from holding special classes on Saturday amid heavy rain forecasts.
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may strengthen into a cyclone and move toward the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast .
Waterlogging was reported in Tiruchirappalli and Pallapatti ; thick fog reduced visibility on the Bodimettu hill road in Theni.
Farmers in rain-affected areas welcomed the showers for potential groundwater recharge .
Schools across six taluks of the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu were declared closed on Saturday, 25 October 2025, after heavy rainfall since Friday night disrupted normal conditions across the western and central parts of the state. In neighbouring Coimbatore, the district collector extended the closure to all categories of schools and explicitly barred management from conducting special classes on the same day.
Official Orders and Who They Cover
District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya issued the closure order for the Nilgiris, covering all schools in the taluks of Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundah, Gudalur, and Pandalur. The Coimbatore collector's directive went a step further — school managements were specifically instructed not to bring students in for additional teaching sessions, closing a common workaround used during declared holidays. The directives apply to all types of schools across both districts.
Bay of Bengal Low-Pressure System Behind the Rain
According to weather reports, a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal. The weather department has indicated the system could strengthen into a cyclone and track towards the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast, while Tamil Nadu is expected to receive continued heavy rainfall in the interim. Forecasts of heavy rain were cited as the basis for the Coimbatore collector's directive against special classes.
Waterlogging and Disruption Across Several Districts
The rain's impact spread well beyond the Nilgiris and Coimbatore. In Tiruchirappalli, heavy showers caused water accumulation on multiple roads, slowing traffic and making movement difficult for commuters. Pudukkottai saw intense showers lasting more than half an hour, bringing noticeably cooler conditions. Thanjavur experienced a sudden evening spell after a sunny morning, while Karur Corporation areas also reported rain-induced cooling. In Pallapatti, overflowing rainwater on roads caused inconvenience to residents and motorists.
Widespread Rain Across Theni, Hill Roads Fogged Over
In Theni district, widespread showers were reported from Andipatti, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, and Cumbum. Thick fog enveloped the Bodimettu hill road, significantly reducing visibility on the mountain stretch and posing risks for travellers. Farmers across affected areas reportedly welcomed the rainfall, citing potential benefits for groundwater recharge.
What to Watch
With the Bay of Bengal system potentially intensifying into a cyclone, Tamil Nadu's coastal and inland districts could face sustained heavy rainfall in the coming days. Authorities are expected to issue further school closure orders and travel advisories if conditions worsen.
Point of View
Visible response — but the deeper concern here is the Bay of Bengal system that forecasters say could become a cyclone. Tamil Nadu's western districts are already waterlogged; if the system intensifies and tracks closer to the Tamil Nadu coast before veering north, the state's preparedness will be tested well beyond school schedules. The absence of a unified state-level advisory — with collectors acting district-by-district — also raises questions about coordination when a larger weather event approaches.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which taluks in Nilgiris have schools closed due to rain?
Schools were declared closed in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundah, Gudalur , and Pandalur taluks of the Nilgiris district on 25 October 2025. The order was issued by District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya in view of continuing heavy rainfall.
Why did Coimbatore ban special classes on Saturday?
The Coimbatore district collector declared a holiday for all categories of schools and directed school managements not to conduct special classes on Saturday, 25 October 2025, amid forecasts of heavy rain. The explicit ban on special classes was meant to prevent management from using the sessions as a workaround on a declared holiday.
What is causing the heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu?
According to weather reports, a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal. The weather department has indicated the system could potentially intensify into a cyclone and move toward the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast, while Tamil Nadu is expected to experience heavy rainfall in the interim.
Which other districts in Tamil Nadu were affected by rain?
Heavy rain was reported in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Karur, Pallapatti, and several areas of Theni district including Andipatti, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, and Cumbum. Waterlogging disrupted traffic in Tiruchirappalli, and thick fog reduced visibility on the Bodimettu hill road.
Could Tamil Nadu face a cyclone in the coming days?
The weather department has indicated the Bay of Bengal low-pressure system could strengthen into a cyclone and track toward the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast, with Tamil Nadu likely to experience sustained heavy rainfall as a result. Authorities are expected to issue further advisories as the system develops.
