On the night of December 9-10, severe cyclonic storm ‘Mandous’ is expected to move west-northwest and cross the coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota, according to the India Meteorological Department. The weather forecast agency said the severe cyclonic storm is currently lying over the southwestern Bay of Bengal, 240 km east-southeast of Karajkal. Mandous will cross the coast of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh at a wind speed of 65-75 kmph with gusts up to 85 kmph.
“SCS Mandous via SW BoB about 240 km ESE of Karaikal. Moving WNW and crossing North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South AP coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota with wind speed of 65-75 kmph around midnight on December 9 to early hours of December 10,” IMD Twitter said in a morning update.
Rainfall forecast
According to the Met department, light to moderate rain is likely to occur at most places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Friday. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at some places with isolated extremely heavy rain over Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry.
Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvallur, Chennai, Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts of Tamilnadu. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai and Sivaganga districts of Tamilnadu and Karai
A red alert has been issued for 13 districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Kancheepuram districts.
Preparation
The Tamil Nadu government said 12 teams comprising nearly 400 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and state forces were deployed in 10 districts in the Cauvery delta region, Chennai, its three neighboring districts and Cuddalore. Friday is a public holiday for schools and universities. The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued precautionary measures, including the closure of all parks and playgrounds until further notice. Chennai Corporation has also asked people not to visit beaches tomorrow and also asked them to park their cars in open spaces and not under trees.
