New Delhi: As `Mandas Cyclone` is likely to turn severe and gain more intensity by Friday (December 9, 2022) morning, the IMD has issued a red alert for three districts of Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Kancheepuram. The IMD also said that “due to Cyclone Mandaus, light to moderate rainfall at most places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and isolated There will be heavy rainfall at isolated places.” Very heavy rainfall very likely over North Interior Tamil Nadu, adjoining Tamil Nadu today.”
Red alert for 3 districts of Tamil Nadu – Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Kancheepuram today: IMD #CycloneMandous– ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2022
The Greater Chennai Corporation issued precautionary measures and ordered the closure of all parks and playgrounds until further notice. Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner met officials to discuss the precautionary measures to be taken in the light of cyclone Mandus. The Chennai Corporation has also asked residents not to visit beaches tomorrow and park their cars in open areas under trees. Meanwhile, according to Education Minister A Namassivam, all schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal will remain closed on Friday due to Cyclone Mandaus.
ALSO READ: Cyclone ‘Mandus’ to cross coast near Chennai, NDRF teams deployed in Tamil Nadu
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Friday morning that the Severe Cyclonic Storm MANDUS would move west-northwestwards with speed of 65-75 kmph over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota. Will cross December midnight with a wind of . 9. “Severe cyclonic storm MANDAS over southwest Bay of Bengal about 270 km east-southeast of Karaikal. 65 to move WNW and cross north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south AP coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota With a wind speed of -75 kmph. midnight of December 9,” the IMD said in a tweet at 2:59 am on Friday.
Due to Cyclone Mandaus, light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over north coast TN and Puducherry and adjoining north interior TN with heavy to very heavy falls very likely Today: IMD
– ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2022
Earlier, the IMD predicted that ‘Mandus Cyclone’ could turn severe and gain more intensity by Friday morning. Storm by the forenoon of 9 December. It will continue to move west-northwestwards as a Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 gusts around Mahabalipuram, between Puducherry and Sriharikota over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh will cross the shores of kmph gusting to 85 kmph around midnight of 09 December,” read an official statement by the IMD.
Meanwhile, all shops on the beach were closed due to cyclone warnings, while fishing boats were kept away from the beaches for safety. Ambulances have also been deployed on the beach for emergency response.” The cyclonic storm “Mandas” called “Man-Dus” over southwest Bay of Bengal with a speed of 13 kmph during last 6 hours moved nearly west-northwestwards with a severe cyclonic storm and lay over Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) near latitude 10.1°N and longitude 82.9°E over southwest Bay of Bengal at 1730 hours IST on Thursday, 08 December 2022 It lay centered about 250 km north east, 320 km east-northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 350 km east-southeast of Karaikal and about 440 km south-southeast of Chennai, the IMD said.
SCS Mandaus over SW BoB at about 270km ESE of Karaikal. To move in west-northwest direction between Puducherry and Sriharikota and cross north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south AP coast with a speed of 65-75 kmph around midnight of 09 December. pic.twitter.com/7xPeynnEDr— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 8, 2022
The Indian Coast Guard of Eastern Region initiated pre-evacuation measures amid the threat of cyclone. said an official. The cyclonic storm lay about 420 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 520 km south-southeast of Chennai. A red alert has been issued for Friday in 13 districts of Tamil Nadu, while six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed.
(with inputs from agencies)