Cyclone Thane nears, fishermen alerted

Chennai, Dec 29 (IBNS) As Cyclone Thane neared the southern coastline, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh issued an advisory to fishermen to return to the shores.

"Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea are advised to return to the coast. This is because of the Cyclonic storm 'Thane' over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal which is likely to move west-northwestwards," read the advisory.

"It is expected to intensify during next 24 hrs and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Cuddalore and Sriharikota and close to south of Chennai around morning of 30th December 2011."

"There is probability of slight weakening before its landfall. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph likely to commence along and off north Tamil Nadu , Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from tomorrow morning.

"The wind speed will increase gradually from tomorrow right onwards along and off north Tamilnadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall," said the advisory.

Under the influence of this system rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall is likely to commence over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from Thursday.

The intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (25cm or more) from tomorrow evening onwards and extend to Rayalseema and north interior Tamil Nadu.

According to the advisory, storm surge of about 1 meter height above the astronomical tide would inundate the low lying areas of Nellore district of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and villupuram districts of north Tamil Nadu at the time of landfall.

"Sea condition will be high to very high around the system centre. Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from tomorrow onwards becoming high to very high from 29th night onwards," read the advisory.

Cyclone Thane is likely to cross the southern coastline on Friday morning as high tidal waves lashed the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

The cyclonic storm, forecast to crash into Chennai on Thursday morning, has moved west-southwestward and is now expected to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday morning, the Met office said.

The cyclone moved west-southwestward on the Bay of Bengal and laid centered about 250 km east-southeast of Chennai on Thursday afternoon.

It is centred about 270 km of Puducherry, the Met office said.

Meanwhile, owners of more than 100 commercial fishing trawlers appealed to the Tamil Nadu government and the Indian Coast Guard to rescue around 700 fishermen who are stranded near Andhra Pradesh´s Nizampatnam Bay due to the cyclone.

The trawlers had ventured in to the sea around five days back from the Kasimedu Fishing Harbour .

Earlier, issuing an "Orange" alert, one step below the Red alert, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that the "very severe" cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal moved away and lay centered about 300 km east-southeast of Chennai as of 5:30 am.

"The system is likely to move westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai, close to Puducherry around morning of 30th December 2011," it said in a message posted on its website.

"However, as the cyclonic storm will come further close to coast, there is probability of slight weakening before landfall," it added.

Under the influence of this storm, rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall is likely over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from Thursday morning onwards, the office said.

The wind speed is likely to touch 120 kmph mark along north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast area by Thursday night as the cyclone advances closer to the coast in the upcoming hours.

The met department advised fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea were advised to return to the coast.

Officials said that extensive damage to thatched roof and huts was expected over north coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh besides minor damage to power and communication line due to uprooting of large avenue trees.