Chennai: The cyclonic storm Mandous crossed the Mamallapuram coast and is weakening in strength after finishing its landfall process late on Friday night, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds in Chennai and several other parts of Tamil Nadu.

In some districts of Chennai, trees were uprooted by strong winds and flooding, which also affected the neighboring Chengalpattu district. Low-lying areas have experienced severe waterlogging as a result of the cyclone's precipitation. 
In Chennai's Arumbakkam, the MMDA Colony's roads were found to be flooded. A video from Egmore showed a sizable tree uprooted, inflicting significant damage to a nearby petrol bunk.

On Friday evening, Cyclone Mandous made landfall off Mamallapuram, causing moderate to heavy rains in coastal Tamil Nadu.

"Cyclone Mandous crossed the shore and is in deep depression and its strength is reducing," stated S Balachandran, DDGM, RMC Chennai. "As it moves towards the northwest, places in northwest districts would experience strong winds of 55-65 kmph, which will further reduce by evening to 30-40 kmph.", IMD informed.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) asked citizens not to leave their homes till Cyclone Mandous begins to weaken earlier today. As per reports, about 65 trees fell within a three-hour period, and motor pumps are now being employed to clear low-lying regions of water stagnation.

Notably, members of the National Disaster Response Force are prepared. In the event of any flood-related crises, the Tamil Nadu government has published a list of helplines.

MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, said on Friday that all precautions had been taken. The government has  also taken all necessary precautions, Stalin said.

Despite the severity of the cyclone, Stalin arrived and inspected the state emergency operations centre in Chepauk. He said that district-level surveillance of the cyclone had also been implemented. 

Stalin exhorted the people to cooperate with the state and heed its directives. In the meantime, the Dindigul Collector has declared Saturday a holiday for Sirumalai and Kodaikanal's schools and institutions.

On Friday, Puducherry witnessed high winds and heavy rain. In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh, red alerts were issued. The cyclone is being monitored by the Karaikal and Chennai Doppler Weather Radars.

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