Cyclone 'Mandous' turned 'severe': Flights cancelled, Chennai warned to prepare for intense rainfall

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm "Mandous" has hit the beaches of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in southern India and is predicted to cause major damage. Between midnight and early tomorrow, the states are expected to see exceptionally heavy rainfall and squalls with winds exceeding 85 kmph.

Tamil Nadu is prepared for substantial rainfall as Cyclone Mandous is scheduled to come near to the coast of Chennai this midnight. The state government has alerted the public and positioned resources in dangerous areas.

Around midnight on December 9, IMD tweeted that "the severe cyclonic storm Mandous over Southwest Bay of Bengal about 270km East-Southeast of Karaikal. To move WNW and traverse north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south AP coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota with a windspeed of 65-75 kmph."

CS Mandous about 180km SE of Mamallapuram(Mahabalipuram) at 1130IST of https://t.co/D76vOj7d0c cross north TN,Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Sriharikota around Mamallapuram as a CS during midnight of 9Dec to early hours of 10Dec pic.twitter.com/1nUyRl4LSm

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 9, 2022

Including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Ranipettai, and Kancheepuram, all schools and colleges are closed today in 12 districts. All parks and playgrounds in Chennai have been closed until further notice. For Friday, a red alert has been issued in 13 Tamil Nadu districts.
Due to the forecasted heavy rain, flights have been canceled at the Chennai airport.

N Rangasamy, the chief minister of Puducherry, also served as the meeting's chair. According to him, the state has established 238 relief centres. Additionally, NDRF staff members have arrived in Puducherry.