Widespread rains lashed parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, prompting authorities to declare a holiday for schools in Chennai and many other districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast more spells of rain in Chennai and districts, including Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur.

The Regional Meterological Centre has issued yellow alert for 13 districts for Friday. Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram,

Intense rainfall activity may shift to south Tamil Nadu and western ghats districts on Friday as the well-marked low pressure area is expected to move towards that region and weaken gradually. All eyes are on the back-to back weather systems churning over the region this northeast monsoon.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert, forecasting heavy rainfall in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, and 18 other districts on Thursday.

Several districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Tiruchy, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam,

An "orange alert" has been issued for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, while a "yellow alert" is in place for Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema and South Interior Karnataka.

Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state.