Chennai: Cyclone Mandous, formed in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to hit the Chennai coast on Friday midnight, with the possibility of heavy rain in Tamil Nadu. The state government has announced an alert and has made arrangements in high-risk areas. Apart from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh are also likely to receive rain.
Mandaus will cross Mamallapuram near Chennai between Friday midnight and Saturday dawn. The cyclone will make landfall at a speed of 65-75 kmph. The intensity of the cyclone may decrease following Saturday followingnoon.
A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in 12 districts of Tamil Nadu due to the possibility of heavy rains in the wake of the cyclone. Holidays have been declared for educational institutions in districts like Chennai, Thiruvallur, Vellore, Ranipettai and Kancheepuram. Light rain has been lashing various parts of North Tamil Nadu since Thursday night. According to the data till 5.30 am on Friday, Chennai received 52.5 mm of rain.
The Chennai Municipal Corporation has advised not to open parks and playgrounds until further notice. People were also advised to avoid visiting the beach on Friday and not to park their vehicles under trees. All the shops on the beaches are closed. A total of 5,093 relief camps have been opened in the state.
Villupuram, Kancheepuram, Puducherry and Chengalpattu regions are likely to experience heavy rains. Red alert has been declared in 13 districts of the state. National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in ten districts. Boats and wood cutters have been prepared for the rescue mission.
Apart from Tamil Nadu, Mandaus is likely to cause rain in various districts of Andhra Pradesh. Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor districts are likely to receive rain. In this context, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy had convened a review meeting on Thursday. Collectors of various districts have also been alerted.
In the wake of Cyclone Mandaus, Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy had also convened a review meeting. 238 relief centers have been opened in Puducherry. NDRF Gang members have also been deployed in Puducherry.
