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Cyclone Thane heading towards north Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh coast
New Delhi, December 28, 2011
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The cyclonic storm Thane over south-west and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal has moved westwards and lay centred about 500 km east-south-east of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, 600 km north-east of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka and 800 km west-northwestwards of Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone lay centred at 1130 hours near latitude 12.50 degrees North and longitude 85 degrees East.
It said the system was likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify further during the next 24 hours and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Cuddalore and Nellore, close to south of Chennai around the morning of December 30, 2011.
However, as the cyclonic storm will come further close to the coast after 24 hours, there is probability of slight weakening before landfall.
Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places, with isolated heavy rainfall, is likely to commence over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from tomorrow, the bulletin said.
The intensity of rainfall would increase, with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls ( 25cm or more) from December 29 onwards and extend to Rayalseema and north interior Tamil Nadu.
Squally winds, with speed reaching 45-55 kmph, were likely to commence along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from tomorrow morning, it said.
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The wind speed will increase gradually from tomorrow night onwards, becoming 95-105 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, along and off north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall.
Storm surge of about 1 meter height above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate the low lying areas of Nellore district of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Villupuram districts of north Tamil Nadu at the time of landfall, the bulletin said.
It said sea condition will be high to very high around the system centre. Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from tomorrow onwards becoming high to very high from tomorrow night onwards.
Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea are advised to return to the coast.
The cyclone is likely to cause extensive damage to thatched roof and huts. Minor damage to power and communication line due to uprooting of large avenue trees is also likely. There could be flooding of escape routes.
The IMD suggested that, in north coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, there should be total suspension of fishing operations. It said coastal hutment dwellers should be moved to safer places. People in affected areas should remain indoors, the bulletin added.
NNN
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