Cyclone Nada weakens, relief to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Chennai/Cuddalore: Cyclonic storm Nada weakened on Monday into a deep depression.

"From a cyclonic storm, it has weakened into deep depression and in the next 24 hours is likely to cross the coast," Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director, S Balachandran, told reporters in Chennai.

Earlier, the MeT office had said the cyclone would cross the state coast near Cuddalore and under its impact, heavy rains could lash Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry.

The deep depression in the south West Bay now lies about 210 km south-east of Puducherry, Balachandran said, adding it would move in the West North Westwardly direction and cross the coast.

He said moderate rains were being witnessed in several parts of the state and this was likely to continue.

During and before the land fall of the depression, winds gusting upto 55 kmph are likely in coastal regions, he said.

Holidays had been declared in schools in various coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for today and tomorrow in view of the cyclone threat.

(With PTI inputs)