Cyclone Mandous highlights: No large scale damage due to storm, says Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Some parts of Maharashtra might receive unseasonal rainfall in the next 48 hours due to the cyclone storm 'Mandous', the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Mild or medium rainfall is expected to hit Konkan, Marathwada and most districts of central Maharashtra after 48 hours.

Cyclone Mandous, which brought up to 10 cm of rainfall and winds raging at 65 kmph-75 kmph and gusts that touched 85 kmph, started crossing the east coast at Mamallapuram near Chennai around 9. 30pm on Friday. The IMD said that the landfall has been complete and the cyclone is set to weaken into a depression. 

Devotees visiting Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala on Friday faced several problems ranging from hampered darshan to difficulty in reaching hotels as heavy rain battered the city under the influence of Cyclone Mandous.

As per reports, the low lying areas of the Tirumala, including the temple premises, witnessed waterlogging making it difficult for the devotees, including elderly and disabled persons, to commute from their accommodated hotels.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) requested people to avoid going out until Cyclone Mandous weakens adding that almost 65 trees fell in three hours and motor pumps are being used to remove water stagnation in low-lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department said that the landfall process of Cyclone Mandous had been completed. Mandous is all set to weaken, following the landfall, to a deep depression and later a depression on Saturday.

"Cyclone MANDOUS rear sector has moved into land and the landfall process has been completed. It is very likely to move nearly westnorthwestwards and gradually weaken into a deep depression during next 2 hours and into a depression by noon of 10th December," IMD said in a tweet at 4:48 am.

The India Meteorological Department predicted that the maximum wind speed to cross up to 85 kmph in view of the 'Mandous Cyclone' and has issued a red alert.

The three states given red alerts are Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. 

Heavy rains with strong winds were experienced in Puducherry. Cyclone Mandous is expected to cross Puducherry and Sriharikota on Saturday at midnight or morning.

Dindigul Collector declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Sirumalai and Kodaikanal for Saturday.

In view of cyclone Mandous, the Chennai Division of Southern Railway on Friday announced that suburban trains in Chennai may be cancelled/rescheduled if necessary to prevent untoward incidents.

Divisional Railway manager Chennai Division Ganesh has instructed the Branch officers concerned and field officers to reiterate safety instructions.

"Suburban trains may be cancelled/rescheduled if necessary to prevent untoward incidents, based on weather warning reports and prevailing situation. Close liaison is being maintained with the state Meteorological Department and adjoining Railway zones for managing the situation," the notice read. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that all the precautionary measures have been taken in view of Cyclone Mandous.

"The government has taken all the precautionary measures and the officers are regularly monitoring the situation," said MK Stalin.

"Whatever the situation may be Government will ensure the protection of the people. District wise the monitoring of the cyclone has also been deployed," he added. 

After Cyclone Mandous made landfall off Mamallapuram, several parts of Chennai are facing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

S Balachandran, DDGM, RMC Chennai said, “Cyclone Mandous crossed the coast and is in deep depression and it's strength is weakening. It is moving towards Northwest direction so areas in northwest dists will witness strong winds of 55-65 kmph which will further decrease by evening to 30-40 kmph.”

"Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) requests all to avoid going out until cyclonic storm 'Mandous' weakens. Almost 65 trees have fallen down in 3 hrs & GCC is taking measures to remove them. Motor pumps are being used to remove water stagnation in low lying saucer shaped areas", GCC warned. 

Heavy to very heavy rains are expected to lash at several places in Nellore, Annamayya, Chittoor and Tirupati districts of Andhra Pradesh, as severe cyclonic storm Mandous is expected to cross the coast between Puducherry and Nellore’s Sriharikota in the early hours of Saturday.