Cyclone Thane expected to cross near Pondicherry in a few hours from now

Red alert declared in the coasts of Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh and going by various weather bulletins Cyclone Thane is expected to cross the land near Puducherry at around 0700 am today [30^th Dec 2011]  Some reports suggest that it would cross anytime between 0700 to 0900 am.

Here is the update from IMD Chennai - dated: 30.12. 2011 Time of issue:0530 hours IST

The very severe cyclonic storm  Thane  over southwest Bay of Bengal moved westward and lay at centered at 0230 hrs IST of today, the 30^th December 2011 near latitude 11.8⁰N and longitude 80.3⁰E, about 50 km east of Puducherry and 125 km south of Chennai (Tamilnadu). The system is likely to move westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast close to south of Puducherry within a few hours.

Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (25cm or more) would occur over north Tamil Nadu & Puducherry during next 24 hours. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema and isolated heavy rainfall would occur over south Tamil Nadu during the same period.

Gale winds speed reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph is likely along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 12 hours.

Storm surge of about 1.0-1.5 meter height above the astronomical tide would inundate the low lying areas of Puducherry and Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram & Villupuram districts of north Tamil Nadu at the time of landfall.

Sea condition is phenomenal along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea during next 24 hrs.

Even after landfall the system is likely to maintain its intensity for 12 hours and weaken gradually. Under its influence rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy fall is likely to continue over north Tamil Nadu and Pudducherry during next 24 hours after landfall causing inundation of low lying areas. Gale/squally wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph causing damage to thatched roofs and huts breaking of tree branches causing minor damage to power and communication lines over north Tamil Nadu and Pudducherry during 12 hours after the landfall. People are advised to remain indoor/safe place and cooperate with state Govt. officials and disaster management agencies.

Wth regards – S. Sampathkumar.

 Satellitte picture of Thane as released by IMD Chennai at 0200 hrs 301211

 And a picture from wunderground.com