Cyclone Mandous to move across TN, south Andhra by today midnight, says IMD

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According to IMD, cyclone Mandous is very likely to maintain its intensity of a severe Cyclonic Storm during next 06 hours and then weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm thereafter.

"It would continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Sriharikota around Mahabalipuram as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph during midnight of today, the 09th December to early hours of 10th December," the IMD said. 

Holiday has been declared for schools in Theni district and Sirumalai region in Kodaikanal under the influence of cyclone Mandous

A cyclone alert has been sounded in south coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued the cyclone Alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mandous was over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and 500 km southeast of Karaikkal.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are kept ready in all district collectorates to face any eventuality.

"The SCS Mandous over SW BoB about 270km ESE of Karaikal. To move WNW and cross north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south AP coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota with a windspeed of 65-75 kmph around midnight of 09 Dec," tweeted IMD.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm 'Mandous' over Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm soon and then weaken gradually and cross the coast near here on December 9 midnight, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

The Tamil Nadu government said 12 teams -- comprising nearly 400 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and the State force -- have been deployed in 10 districts including Nagapattinam and Thanjavur in the Cauvery delta region, Chennai, its three neighbouring districts and Cuddalore. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges on Friday. (PTI)

The Regional Meterological Department in its weather bulletin said, "Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts and Heavy rainfall over Prakasam, YSR District and Anantapuramu districts." (sic)
 

Heavy rainfall is predicted over several parts of Tamil Nadu as cyclone 'Mandous' over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on the midnight of December 9, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

The well-marked low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on December 6 and it further intensified into a "deep depression" and lay about 750 km off Chennai as on Wednesday. In its bulletin issued on Thursday, the IMD said the cyclonic storm 'Mandous' (pronounced as 'Man-dous') over Southwest Bay of Bengal about 500 km off east south east of Karaikal.

"It is expected to move west-northwest and cross north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota with a wind speed of 70 km per hour around midnight of December 9," an IMD bulletin said. Puducherry is about 160 km from Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government has made all precautionary measures in view of the forecast for heavy rainfall. (PTI)

Schools and colleges will be closed on Friday in Puducherry and Karaikal in view of cyclone Mandous, Education minister A Namassivayam told ANI. 

According to IMD, "The severe cyclonic storm “Mandous” pronounced as “Man-Dous” over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved nearly west-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 2030 hours IST of today, the 08th December, 2022 over Southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.4°N and longitude 82.6°E, about 250 km north-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 300 km east-northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 310 km east-southeast of Karaikal and about 390 km south-southeast of Chennai."

"It is very likely to maintain its intensity of Severe Cyclonic Storm till early morning of 9th December and then weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm thereafter. It would continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Sriharikota, around Mahabalipuram as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph around midnight of 09th December," it said. 

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday directed the collectors of various districts to be vigilant in view of the cyclonic storm the Bay of Bengal. The CM held a review meeting with the officials concerned here over the cyclone, an official release said, reported PTI. 

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner had a discussion with officials regarding precautionary measures to be taken in view of Mandous Cyclone. GCC has given orders to close all parks and playgrounds till further announcement.

It also asked people not to visit beaches on Friday and to park cars in open areas and not under trees. 

In view of cyclone Mandous, Greater Chennai Corporation has issued several precautionary measures.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm 'Mandous' over Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and will weaken gradually and cross the coast near Chennai on December 9 midnight. 

On December 9, light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places and heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry.

Cyclone Mandous has now intensified into several cyclonic storm and lay centered at 1730 IST over SW BoB about 350 km ESE of Karaikal and about 440 km SE of Chennai. 

Help desks at Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore have been set up to help passengers who may be affected as a result of Cyclone Mandous.

A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges Salem in Tamil Nadu's Salem district on December 9 due to heavy rainfall and cyclone Mandaous to make landfall by midnight.

Greater Chennai Corporation has issued a helpline number for any grievance or flood related queries and help in view of cyclone Mandous.

Senior officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation held a preparatory meeting in view of cyclone Mandous. The corporation has advised Chennaiites to stay away from sea and beaches. It has also urged people to safely park vehicles and avoid parking vehicles under the trees and avoid travelling during the cyclone.

The India Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted that cyclone Mandous may make a landfall between Puducherry and Sriharikota on December 9.

According to the India Meteorological Department (MeT), a depression that has formed in the Bay of Bengal and will intensify into a cyclonic storm will cause extremely heavy rainfall in the country's southern regions. The weather department also said that the cyclone will weaken by midnight.

The cyclonic storm "Mandous" moved with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 1430 hours (Indian Standard Time) of today, the December 8, 2022, about 390 km east-southeast of Karaikal and about 480 km southeast of Chennai.

Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) shares latest image of Cyclone Mandous. The images combine cloud structure with wind vector data derived from the Scatterometer.  

A rain holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Kancheepuram districts on Friday, December 9. This comes after the RMC, Chennai, announced that cyclone Mandous would very likely intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Thursday evening and weaken on Friday afternoon.

 Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Trichy, Karur, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sivagangai, Salem and Namakkal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during the next one to three hours.

Balachandran, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, in conversation with Indian Today, said that cyclonic storm Mandous is likely to cause minor damage to communication and power lines.

While talking to India Today, Balachandran said, “The cyclone is moving west-northwest and will likely cross between Puducherry and Sriharikota around midnight on December 9. We expect the system to cause rain today and tomorrow in the delta region. Strong winds are expected at a speed of 40-50kmph on the coast.”

Talking about the conditions of the sea, the Regional MET Director said that the sea would be rough to very rough on December 9, especially near the Gulf of Mannar. He added that fishermen had been advised not to venture into the sea till Saturday.

“Current predictions show that the system will make landfall as a cyclone with 70 - 85 wind speed. We are expecting heavy rainfall for the next two days. We are expecting this cyclone to cause minor damage to communication and power lines, damage to thatched roof huts, tree branches and we will have to take care of old buildings,” added Balachandran.

(With inputs from Pramod Madhav)
 

The cyclonic storm Mandous over the southwest Bay of Bengal moved nearly west-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 420 km east-southeast of Karaikal and about 520 km southeast of Chennai. 

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday evening. It will maintain its intensity of a severe cyclonic storm till the early morning of December 9 and then weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm tomorrow. 

It is very likely to cross north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Sriharikota, around Mahabalipuram with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph around midnight of December 9.
 

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has issued a weather forecast for the city for the next seven days amid the cyclonic storm Mandous, which is expected to hit between Puducherry and Sriharikota around midnight on Friday, December 9.

According to the forecast, moderate rain is expected on Thursday and heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Chennai on Friday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the collectors of various districts to be vigilant and to create awareness and help farmers ahead of cyclonic storm Mandous.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of cyclone Mandous in the Bay of Bengal during a meeting on Thursday. He said that adequate precautions should be taken by the authorities and that they should review the impact of the storm from time to time.

Officials informed the CM that due to the impact of the storm, rain is predicted in Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor and other districts. The CM instructed officials of the agriculture department to create awareness about the precautions to be taken by the farmers and to be helpful to them.

(With inputs from Apoorva Jayachandran)

Puducherry District Magistrate and Collector, E Vallavan, passed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, to prevent loss of life and ensure the safety of the general public.

In a government order, the district collector said  "indiscriminate erection of unauthorized/ illegal banners/ hoardings/ Flex boards/ cut-outs/ advertisement poles etc. are likely to inflict injury and may cause danger to human life and disturbance to public tranquillity. 

"As the India Meteorological Department has issued a warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall with 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph wind warning for 9th and 10th December, 2022. Such heavy storms can cause damage to such structures that may pose a significant risk to the general public and to road safety." 

The collector has thus announced section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973 in order to prevent any injury/ danger to human life, do hereby order that no banners/ hoardings/ Flex boards/ cut-outs/ advertisement poles etc., shall be erected on the roadside in Puducherry District. He has also ordered that the local bodies and PWD, in coordination with the Police Department, shall prevent the erection of such unauthorized /illegal banners/ advertising poles.

"Any individual / Association / Organization / Political Party / Authority erecting banners without prior permission of concerned local bodies and the printer of such unauthorized / illegally erected advertisement structures shall be liable for penal/criminal action under section 188 of the IPC and other relevant provisions of the law," he concluded.

(Inputs from Akshaya Nath)

Light rainfall was witnessed in parts of Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, under the influence of cyclonic storm Mandous. The storm system is approximately 460 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 540 km from Chennai. 

According to the latest update by the IMD, cyclonic storm Mandous, which is currently over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is about 460km east-southeast of Karaikal.

It is likely to move west-northwest and cross northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota with a wind speed of 70 kmph around midnight on Friday, Dec 9.

Cyclonic storm Mandous, which strengthened during the wee hours of Thursday, is headed towards Karaikal and has been moving at a speed of 6 kmph over the last six hours. It is currently situated approximately 460 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 540 km southeast of Chennai. Watch how cyclonic storm Mandous evolved over the last 6 hours. 

Vellore District collector Kumaravel Pandian has announced a holiday for schools and colleges. The holiday will come into effect from Thursday at noon. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges tomorrow, Friday, as well. This is a precautionary measure over the heavy rains predicted due to Cyclone Mandous.
 

Cyclonic storm Mandous has been progressing towards land at a speed of 6 kmph over the last six hours. It is approximately 500 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 580 km southeast of Chennai. 

The name Mandous was given to it when it was just a cyclonic circulation and was expected to likely move northwest and evolve into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Thursday. The name Mandous was suggested by the United Arab Emirates. Mandous, in Arabic, translates to "treasure box."

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, took to Twitter and announced that the cyclonic storm Mandous is centred approximately 500 km east-southeast of Karaikal and 580 km southeast of Chennai. The storm has been progressing at a speed of 6 kph over the last six hours.

A light rainfall alert has also been issued for Kancheepuram and Walajabad.

According to the latest information by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, the cyclonic storm Mandous is expected to cross north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast around midnight on Friday, December 9. 

Taking to Twitter, the RMC, Chennai, issued an update regarding the cyclonic storm Mandous. The RMC added that Mandous would cross between Puducherry and Sriharikota with a wind speed of 70 kmph around midnight on Friday, December 9.
 

According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm Mandous is moving west-northwest and is situated approximately 600 km from Chennai. As a result, areas in Chennai that are expected to receive light rainfall over the next three hours are:

Egmore, Mylapore, Purasaivakkam, Thiruvotiyur, Thandaiyarpet, Velachery, Ayanavaram, Mambalam, Perambur and Ambattur.

Some areas that are located around Chennai in nearby districts are also expected to receive light rainfall over the next three hours. These are:

Chengalpattu, Maduravayal, Poovindavalli, Tirukalgunram, Thiruporur, Vandalur, Ambattur, Seyyur, Kundradthur, Maduranthagam and Uthiramerur.
 

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the territorial government's preparedness in case of exigencies arising due to heavy rainfall expected to pound Puducherry and Karaikal under the influence of cyclonic storm Mandous. Speaking to reporters in his cabinet room after the meeting, the Chief Minister said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning in the Puducherry and Karaikal regions under the influence of a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel had arrived in Puducherry with some teams deputed to Karaikal to carry out relief and rehabilitation work according to requirements. All the departments that are tasked with taking preventive steps have been directed to be prepared for any exigency, he said, adding that control rooms have been opened at the collectorates.

As many as 238 relief centres were opened, food packets to 75,000 people would be distributed and, wherever necessary, people living in low-lying areas would be evacuated to safer places, the Chief Minister said.

The legislators in the Union Territory were asked to ensure relief measures are available wherever needed and marriage halls should be utilised in the respective constituencies to accommodate people, Rangasamy added.

He said necessary equipment needed for rescue work had also been provided to the department. Heads of all departments including police, fire service, local administration, electricity and PWD were present at the meeting.

Some private schools have declared a holiday on Thursday as a precautionary measure.

A holiday has been declared for schools in Thiruvarur District, and for schools and colleges in Thanjavur District on Thursday, December 8 due to expected rainfall. 

Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur at isolated places in Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry & Karaikal during the next one to three hours.

Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamilnadu  during the next one to three hours.