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Cyclonic storm 'Vardah' likely to make landfall near Chennai today

by India Blooms News Service 12 Dec 2016, 08:15 am

Chennai, Dec 12 (IBNS): Adding trouble for people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is likely to make a landfall in the northern part of the state on Monday, media reports said.

Heavy rains have been predicted for  Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram areas.

" The system is very likely to move nearly west-southwestwards and weaken gradually from today evening onwards while moving towards north Tamilnadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast. It is very likely to cross north Tamilnadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm by 12th December 2016 afternoon," IMD said in a statement.

Fishermen have advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

The IMD said: " Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts commencing from 11th December night. It will gradually increase becoming 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph during the time of landfall along and off Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh."


Schools and colleges will remain shut in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and parts of Villupuram, reports said.