Severe cyclonic storm Thane heading for Tamil Nadu coast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclone lay centred at 2030 hours today near latitude 12.50 degrees North and longitude 84 degrees East, about 400 km east-southeast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, 520 km northeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka and 950 km west-northwest of Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islans.

 

"The system is likely to move westwards, intensify further during next 12 hrs and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai, close to Puducherry around morning of 30th December 2011. However, as the cyclonic storm will come further close to coast after 24 hours, there is probability of slight weakening before landfall," an IMD bulletin said.

 

Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places, with isolated heavy rainfall, is likely to commence over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from tomorrow, it 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 tomorrow evening onwards and extend to Rayalseema and north interior Tamil Nadu, it said.

 

According to the bulletin, squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmphare  likely to commence along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from tomorrow morning. 

 

The wind speed will increase gradually from tomorrow night, becoming 100-110 kmph, gusting to 125 kmph, along and off north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall, it said.

 

The bulletin said storm surge of about 1 metre 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.

 

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 have been advised not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea have been advised to return to the coast, the bulletin said.

 

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