As heavy rainfall is predicted over several parts in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as cyclone 'Mandous' over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the coast between the Union Territory of Puducherry, and Sriharikota tonight, teams of NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in both the states.
Ten teams of NDRF and Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in south coastal districts in AP, while in Tamil Nadu, as many as 16,000 police personnel and 1,500 Home guard, have been deployed for security, relief, and rescue operations. A 40-member team of TN State Disaster Response Force, in addition to 12 District Disaster Response Force teams, are also on standby.
Coastal areas and other parts of Tamil Nadu witnessed light to moderate and heavy rainfall on Friday. AP is yet to have rainfall due to the cyclone.
TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed the preparedness in Chennai and interacted with monitoring officers and officials in districts. He told reporters that all steps have been taken to tackle the situation and protect the people.
The cyclonic storm is very likely to cross the coast near Mamallapuram as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph, during midnight and early hours of Saturday.
The rains led to some disruption in bus services due to water logging and at least 13 flights from here have been cancelled in Tamil Nadu.
Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar said bus services would be suspended in and around Mamallapuram and the East Coast Road two hours before and after the cyclone's landfall.
On Saturday, rainfall is likely to reduce at most places though it is expected to be heavy to very heavy at isolated areas in north interior Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and adjoining southern Andhra Pradesh.
AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday held a meeting in Amaravati, and said adequate precautions should be taken by the authorities from time to time. The officials informed the chief minister that rain was predicted in the districts of Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor and others.
—With inputs from PTI