Chennai: Heavy rains lashed Chennai, central and southern districts of Tamilnadu, as Cyclonic storm ‘Burevi’, which weakened into a deep depression, remained practiclaly stationary during the past three hours near Ramanathapuram.
A bulletin issued by the Met office here today said the deep depression over the Gulf of Mannar close to Ramanathapuram District coast remained practically stationary during the past three hours and lay centered about 40 km southwest of Ramanathapuram, 70 km west-south west of Pamban and 160 km northeast of Kanniyakumari.
The associated wind speed is about 55-65 gusting to 75 kmph. It is likely to move slowly west-southwestwards and cross the Ramanathapuram and adjoining Thoothukudi districts during the next six hours with wind speed of 50-60 gusting to 70 kmph.
It is very likely to weaken further into a Depression with a wind speed 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph during next 12 hours.
Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is likely to occur over south Tamilnadu and at isolated places over Kerala and Mahe during the next 24 hours.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is also very likely over north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during the same period.
The Met office has issued yellow alert to South Tamilnadu, North Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe and to South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep as rainfall would occur at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places.
Northern districts of Chidambaram in Cuddalore district and its surrounding areas received close to 30 cm of rain during the last 24 hrs ending at 8.30 am today.
Meanwhile, heavy rains battered Chennai city, Cauvery delta and southern districts since last night.
The rains, which started last night, poured almost non stop in Chennai city, resulting in waterlogging of several areas. Several roads and low-lying areas were inundated. In some areas like West Mambalam and southern suburbs, people had
to wade through knee deep water as them rains continued on Friday morning, without any respite.
The Tamilnadu Government has declared a public holiday for today for six districts in view of the heavy rains and the Southern Railway has announced partial cancellation of some trains heading towards the south and those leaving fromĀ there.