Today very severe Cyclone Thane' hits Tamil Nadu coast

Very severe Cyclone Thane on Friday morning hit the coast of Tamil Nadu, making landfall between Puducherry and Cuddalore and causing heavy rainfall.

Under the influence of the cyclone, isolated rain is predicted over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry till Saturday afternoon. Heavy rainfall is also predicted over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, “The landfall happened very close to Cuddalore, southeast of Puducherry. The system is likely to move westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast, close to south of Puducherry, within a few hours and weaken gradually. As a result very heavy rainfall will continue over Northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Rayalseema.”

Wind speed is likely to reach 145 kmph along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during next three hours and then decrease gradually. Waves measuring 1.5 metres height are hitting the shoreline.

Even after the landfall, the system is likely to maintain its intensity for 12 hours even after landfall weakens gradually. Under its influence rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy fall is likely to continue over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in next 24 hours.

The Tamil Nadu government has set up 20 teams to monitor the water levels in lakes and other water bodies in Chennai, Thiruvallur and other places.

Eight teams of National Disaster Management Force have been sent to the coastal districts. Two of these teams will be in Andhra Pradesh, rest six in Tamil Nadu in view of the cyclone warning. Another 15,000 men of the NDRF are on alert. Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are on high alert to manage the emerging situation.

Schools buildings in Chennai have been turned into shelter homes and the entire city is on high alert. There is power outage in many parts of Puducherry and adjoining districts.

The weather officer has advised local administrations to evacuate people from low-lying areas as property is likely to be damaged extensively and escape routes are also likely to be flooded.

Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea during next 24 hrs.

South Andhra Pardesh on alert as cyclone 'Thane' threatens coast

The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) categorised cyclonic storm ‘Thane’ over southwest Bay of Bengal as very severe and issued a warning for north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast.

Cyclonic storm Thane is moving west-southwestward and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST Thursday morning about 300 km east-southeast of Chennai. The system is likely to move westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai, close to Puducherry by tomorrow morning.

However, the storm is expected to weaken as it moves closer to the coast.

Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph likely to commence along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from today. The wind speed is expected to increase to 100-110 kmph at the time of landfall

The storm is also expected to cause rain all along the coast.

Adding to the concerns of the citizens, the IMD has warned of a storm surge of about 1 meter height which may inundate the low lying areas of Chennai and Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram & Villupuram districts.

Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & south Andhra Pradesh coasts have been advised not to venture into sea and people in the affected area have been advised to stay indoors.