Cyclone Mandous Storm Alert: Torrential Rainfall In Chennai

Cyclone Mandous Storm Alert: It is raining heavily in the southern part of the country these days amid snowfall on the mountains and cold winds in the plains. 

While winter has intensified in North India, heavy rains have thrown life out of gear in many parts of South India. Cyclone Mandus is threatening Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. 

Flights Cancelled: Chennai received torrential rain on Friday under the influence of a severe cyclonic storm ‘Mandous’. At least four flights from the Tamil Nadu capital have been cancelled and several others have been delayed as the storm moves west-northwestwards towards Puducherry and Sriharikota.

Mandous is expected to cross the coast of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh around or after midnight at a windspeed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to the IMD, Orange Alert has been issued for these states, while the Tamil Nadu government has increased vigilance in view of the deteriorating weather. Taking precautions, the government has directed closure of schools and colleges in rain-prone districts.

Cyclone Mandous has moved more of a northwestward with the speed of 12 km ph inching closer to the coast. It intensified to a severe Cyclone.

Schools, colleges closed in 27 dists: Cyclone Mandous may affect North Tamil Nadu, Pudicherry and adjoining areas of Andhra. In light of the weather prediction, schools and colleges in around 27 districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Ranipet, Vellore and Tiruvallur, have been closed.

To deal with Mandous, an alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu. 5000 relief camps have been prepared. All the facilities are being provided to the people living in the camps. Collectors of all districts have been instructed to remain alert. 

NDRF teams have already been deployed in about half a dozen districts. There is a possibility that in the coming two days Mandus may create havoc in these areas.

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh have been bracing for the storm, with authorities on alert and taking precautionary measures. 

Relief camps set up: The National Disaster Relief Force has been deployed as well. In Chennai, 169 relief camps have been set up and the civic body has readied 805 motor pumps to drain stagnant water from low-lying areas.  Volunteers from the fisherfolk community have been instructed to be ready with rescue boats.

However, in the next couple of hours the system is very likely to weaken into a Cyclonic Storm. According to Skymet Weather, thereafter, the movement of the storm will slow down and it will have a very slow movement thereafter. 

Now, due to dry air, proximity of land and drop in sea temperatures, gradually the weakening of the storm will take place.

Heavy to very heavy rains: Heavy to very heavy rains would be seen over North Tamil Nadu and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Thus cities of Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Chennai, Puducherry, Ongole, Bapatla, Cuddalore, Nellore will be in the firing range of the storm.