Cyclone bypasses Indian coastline; heavy rains expected in Tamil Nadu

Cyclonic winds bypassed the Indian coast and moved towards Bangladesh on Wednesday but left in its wake heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall was expected over north Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours.

Rainfall is likely to occur at many places with heavy to very heavy rainfall over south Andhra Pradesh coast during next 48 hours, it said.

Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 km would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours. Sea condition would be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture out to sea during next 48 hours.

In Chennai and its neighbourhoods, four National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in low lying areas and boats kept ready to rescue people in the event of flooding.

The state government on Tuesday had directed district collectors to take all precautionary measures and asked senior civil servants to visit districts which are expected to receive heavy rainfall.

It had also set up a call centre with 1070 number to receive rainfall-related grievances.

The government had also said Chennai and neighbouring districts are expected to receive very heavy rainfall of more than 25 cm and Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts, more than 12 cm rainfall.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed all district collectors to take precautionary measures in view of cyclone threat to southern and northern parts of the state.

“Visakhapatnam Meteorological office has warned that southern and northern Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy rains due to the cyclone. District Collectors are directed to take necessary steps like keeping food and water packets ready,” said Naidu.

“District administrations in coastal Andhra Pradesh should stay alert in view of the cyclone warning,” he said.