Puducherry: As Cyclone Mandous continues to edge closer to the Indian mainland, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today has issued a heavy rain alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Mandous, (pronounced Man-Dous), which now lies centred over southwest Bay of Bengal at 5:30 am IST this morning — about 330 km east-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 500 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 580 km southeast of Chennai.
The system is likely to cross the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh between Puducherry and Sriharikota at midnight on December 9.
Under its influence, rainfall is expected over parts of coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh till December 10. Squally winds, reaching 40-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph, are also likely to prevail today. Sea conditions are expected to be rough, and fisherfolk are advised not to venture into sea.
However, it’s possible that Mandous may not even retain its Cyclonic Storm status by the time it approaches the Indian mainland.
December 8: Heavy to very heavy falls (64.5 mm-204 mm) over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal; Heavy rains (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) over adjoining areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema
December 9: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy downpours (204 mm) at isolated places of north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Coastal Andhra Pradesh; Heavy to very heavy showers over north interior Tamil Nadu and adjoining Rayalaseema
December 10: Heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in north Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and south Andhra Pradesh
