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Severe cyclonic storm Thane likely to hit north Tamil Nadu coast Friday morning
New Delhi, December 29, 2011
Fishermen watching the high waves at Marina beach following authorities warning them not to venture into the sea due to cyclonic storm Thane, in Chennai on December 29, 2011. UNI PHOTO
The "very severe" cyclonic storm Thane over south-west Bay of Bengal is likely to move westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast, between Nagapattinam and Chennai close to Puducherry, in the early hours of tomorrow.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone had moved slightly westward and lay centred at 1430 hours today near latitude 12 degrees North and longitude 81.7 degrees East, about 180 km east of Puducherry, 180 km southeast of Chennai and 400 km north-northeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.
A bulletin from IMD said that, under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places, with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (25cm or more), would occur over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 48 hours.
Rainfall at most places, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema and isolated heavy rainfall would occur over south Tamil Nadu during the same period, it said.
Squally winds with speed reaching 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, is likely along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
The wind speed will increase gradually becoming 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph along and off north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast from today night onwards.
A man coming out of a fisherman's hut inundated by the sea during high tide due to cyclonic storm Thane, in Chennai on December 29 2011. UNI PHOTO
Storm surge of about 1.0-1.5 metre height above the astronomical tide would inundate the low lying areas of Puducherry and Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Villupuram districts of north Tamil Nadu at the time of landfall.
The bulletin said sea conditions were very rough and would gradually become very high to phenomenal along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea during next 48 hours.
The bulletin said the cyclone was likely to cause extensive damage to thatched roof and huts in north coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. It said minor damage was likely to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees.
Flooding of escape routes was likely. The storm is expected to damage the standing rice, groundnut and maize in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and rice and groundnut in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The IMD has suggested total suspension of fishing operations. It said coastal hutment dwellers should be moved to safer places. People in affected areas have been advised to remain indoors. Farmers are advised to drain out excess water from the field to prevent crop damage. Taller crops like banana, leaves may be removed and extra physical support may be given, the bulletin added.
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UNI adds from Chennai:
Chennai and northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are bracing to meet any eventuality as the cyclone was fast approaching the coast.
The city, its suburbs and the northern coastal districts of the state received intermittent rains, accompanied by gusty winds, today.
District administrations of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam have chalked out precautionary measures to meet any possible calamity.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on alert and the state Public Works Department (PWD) has also worked out contingency plans to meet any eventuality.
Chennai Corporation officials, headed by Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, along with Local Administration Minister K P Munusamy, visited various places in north Chennai, which were marooned after sea water entered the areas.
People living in fishing hamlets along the coast were advised to move out to cyclone relief centres and other buildings, arranged by the administration. The Government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges tomorrow.
As the sea became rough with high tidal waves rising to 10 meters high in some coastal areas, fishermen refrained from venturing into sea for fishing.
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Hundreds of mechanised boats and trawlers in several coastal areas like Kovalam and Neelankarai on East Coast Road (ECR) and at Kasimedu fishing harbour in north Chennai and Cuddalore and Nagapattinam remained on shore.
A senior PWD official said 20 special teams headed by Superintendent Engineers were formed to monitor the water levels in reservoirs and take necessary steps in the coastal districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Villuppuram.
Coastal District Administrations have drawn up precautionary measures to meet any eventuality. Personnel in Revenue, Police, Fire Service, Telecom and Electricity departments were kept in a state of readiness to take up relief and rescue operations.
Cyclone Relief Centres in these districts were kept open to accommodate people living in low lying areas in the event of their evacuation. Schools, temples and marriage halls are also being readied to accommodate the affected people.
NNN
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