Deep depression off Tamil Nadu intensifies into cyclonic storm

Cyclone Nirav will bring heavy rains to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between November 24 and 26. The storm is expected to make landfall in the region on November 25, according to the weather office.

New Delhi: The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm, 'Nivar' and it is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on November 25, the Met department said on Tuesday.

While intermittent rains lashed several parts of the state and union territory, the department said rainfall is very likely at most places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfalls at isolated places on Wednesday.

Authorities said the reservoirs here including Chembarambakkam were under a 'constant watch' and people in low lying areas were being brought to safe shelters.

The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Nivar' and lay about 410 km off Puducherry and 450 km from here.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards for the next 12 hours and then move northwestwards.

It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on November 25 evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100- 110 km per hour gusting to 120 mph, a bulletin said. Gale wind -speed reaching 65-75 kmph and gusting to 85 kmph- is prevailing over southwest Bay of Bengal.

Sea condition is rough to very rough along the coasts of the state and union territory and a tidal wave of about one-meter height is very likely to inundate the low lying areas of north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Fishermen have already been advised against venturing into the sea.

PTI REPORT