Tamil Nadu weather: Depression intensifies into cyclone, to hit coast on October 17

A cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall the coast between Puducherry and Nellore by Thursday morning, said Ronanki Kurmanath, MD, Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority. This comes as a depression in southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone.

The storm is currently moving in a northwest direction at a speed of 10 km/h. It is located 440 km from Chennai, 460 km from Puducherry, and 530 km from Nellore.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several places in the South Coast and Rayalaseema, with extremely heavy rainfall likely in some areas. Wind speeds of 40-60 km/h are expected along the coast, said Kurmanath.


Fishermen have been advised not to venture out to sea and the the public has been put on an alert to take necessary precaution.

Tamil Nadu rains

Heavy rain continued to lash Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, bringing residential neighborhoods and roads under knee-deep water and leading to traffic congestion besides affecting public transport services.

The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of the state with warnings for "very heavy rainfall" on October 17 and 18.

Earlier on Tuesday, streets and roads were flooded with muddy water following heavy rainfall, and garbage was found floating from the Pattalam area of Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday took stock of the rain situation in the state capital amid incessant downpours.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also inspected the Integrated Control and Command Centre, in Chennai and informed about the situation.

Speaking about the rain situation, Udhayanidhi Stalin informed on Tuesday, "Around 5 cm average rainfall has been recorded in Chennai in the last 24 hours. Things are very much under control. The highest rainfall has been recorded in Sholinganallur and Teynampet area, around 6 cm. No power cuts were encountered in any area in Chennai."

"Tree falling was reported in around 8 areas and the team is already on duty to clear it. All the trees will be cleared in approximately one to one and a half hours after the rain has stopped. 26 teams from NDRF and SDRF have been readily positioned in Chennai and all the coastal areas. Out of 22 subways in Chennai, two subways have been flooded and the traffic has been closed," informed the Deputy CM.

"The pumping motors are ready and draining. Water stagnation has been reported in 300 locations and the pumping work is in progress. Tamil Nadu special health camp for the rainy season was started in 1000 locations all over the state and around 100 health camps have been started in Chennai alone by the concerned department," added Udhayanidhi Stalin.