Cyclone Nilam stationary, to cross TN coast tomorrow

Cyclonic storm Nilam remained practically stationary and lay centred at about 450 km south-southeast of Chennai and 130 km North-northeast of Trincomalee at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Met department said. 

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, which would further intensify into a cyclonic storm, on Tuesday brought heavy rains in many parts of Tamil Nadu, especially in coastal areas, prompting the government to declare a holiday for schools. 

Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Villupuram received heavy rains in the morning, inconveniencing commuters. The cyclonic storm would cross between Nagapattinam and Nellore tomorrow, Met Department said. 

“The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards, and lay centred at 1800 UTC of yesterday over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 9.00N and longitude 82.00E, about 500 km south-southeast of Chennai and 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka).” 

“The system would intensify further into a cyclonic storm and move westwards for some more time and come very close to Sri Lanka coast and then move northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nagapattinam and Nellore by tomorrow afternoon,” the Met Department said. 

It forecast “heavy to extremely heavy rainfall” upto 25 cm or more besides squally winds reaching upto 45—55 kmph of speed and gusting upto 65 kmph off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 12 hours”, it said. 

“The wind speed would gradually increase thereafter as the system comes closer to coast. Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 48 hours. 

Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into the sea,” the department said. 

- The Hindu News