Cyclone warning in Tamil Nadu, heavy rainfall expected: MET

The Met department has cautioned the residents of Tamil Nadu that a cyclone building up in the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday, December 2. Chennai also is expected to receive moderate rain from tonight and heavy rainfall has been forecast for north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from tomorrow.

The cyclone, that has been named NADA, is currently about 770 km south east of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, and is further expected to move west and intensify.

"Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence to prevail along and off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from December 1. Sea condition would be rough to very rough," the Met department has said.

The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Chief Minister of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy said that his administration is "on full alert" and well-prepared for the cyclone. He also said that shelters have been kept ready for people who may have to be evacuated from near the sea and storm water drains have been cleared to avoid flooding.