'Mandous' to cross coast near Chennai, NDRF teams deployed in Tamil Nadu

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm 'Mandous' over Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm soon and then weaken gradually and cross the coast near here on December 9 midnight, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

The Tamil Nadu government said 12 teams -- comprising nearly 400 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and the State force -- have been deployed in 10 districts including Nagapattinam and Thanjavur in the Cauvery delta region, Chennai, its three neighbouring districts and Cuddalore. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges on Friday.

In an updated bulletin, the IMD said the cyclonic storm 'Mandous' (pronounced as 'Man-dous') over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved further and it is about 480 km off east south east of Chennai and 390 km from Kariakal.

On December 9, light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places and heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north interior Tamil Nadu and Rayalaseema. Following the land fall, the rainfall is set to recede.

It is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm. "It will maintain its intensity of severe cyclonic storm till early morning of 9th December and then weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm tomorrow."

It is very likely to cross coast near Mamallapuram here with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph on December 9 midnight. Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram is about 50 km from here.

Chairing a high level meeting at the Secretariat, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu tasked officials to ensure that all stipulated measures are followed including prior announcement on release of surplus water from reservoirs and shifting people living in vunerable areas to relief shelters. The government advised people to avoid travelling on Friday.

A defence release said that several measures have been initiated by the Coast Guard (Eastern Region) in view of the cyclonic storm. "CG ships and aircraft have been continuously issuing advisories and shepherding fishing boats to return to harbour."

All oil rigs, offshore installations have been requested to ensure safety of personnel, the release said.

The well-marked low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on December 6 and it further intensified into a "deep depression" and lay about 750 km off Chennai as on Wednesday.