The meteorological department has predicted thunderstorm and light rainfall in about 12 districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday as Cyclone Michaung intensifies in the Bay of Bengal.
In a bulletin on Friday night, the Chennai Meteorological Department has said that moderate thunderstorms and lightning with moderate rain likely at isolated places over Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Thiruppur, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Thirunelveli Kanyakumari and Karaikal districts.
Light rain is likely at isolated places over Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Sivagangai, Nilgiris, Theni and Puducherry in the next three hours, it further stated. The cyclone is likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify into a deep depression by December 2 and further into a cyclonic storm over Southwest Bay of Bengal around December 3. “It will reach near south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by December 4 forenoon, the IMD said in its release.
Rainfall intensity is expected to increase in north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday, with 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall at most places.
Several parts of the state, including its capital Chennai, have been battling heavy rains and waterlogging over the past week. Schools remained closed in Chennai and a few other districts on Thursday.
The IMD has also warned of rough seas and instructed fishermen not to venture out.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held a review meeting with 12 district administrations on Friday reviewed preparations ahead of the cyclone. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has made 18 teams available to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Puducherry and 10 additional teams have been kept ready.
Rescue and relief teams of the Coast Guard, Army and Navy along with ships and aircraft have been kept ready on standby, the statement said.
