Cyclone "Thane " is 400 km East of Chennai

Chennai, Dec 28 : The cyclone ''Thane'' over southwest Bay of Bengal has moved further westward and lay centred about 400 km east Southwest of Chennai, 520 km Northeast of Trincomalee and 900 km West northwest of Andaman Nicobar Islands at 2030 hrs tonight.

Tropical Cyclone Thane on Dec. 28. [NASA/NOAA]

According to a special bulletin from met department here at 2030 hrs, the system is likely to move westward, intensity further during the next 12 hrs and cross North Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai, close to Puducherry on the morning of December 30.

However, the cyclonic storm will come further close to coast after 24 hrs it is likely to weaken slightly before landfall.

The bulletin said under the infulence of the system, there would be rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rain likely over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and south Coastal Andhra Pradesh from tomorrow onwards.

The intensity of rains would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremly heavy falls (25 cm or more) from tomorrow evening, extending to Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu.

Squally winds with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph are likely along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coast from tomorrow morning onwards.

The winds speed will increase gradually from tomorrow night becoming 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 125 kmph along and off north Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall.

Sea conditions will be high to very high around the centre of system.

Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south coastal Andhra Pradesh were advised not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea were advised to return to coast. (UNI)