PUDUCHERRY: With Cyclone 'Mandous' intensified into a major cyclonic storm, Puducherry and Karaikal region has declared a 2-day holiday for educational institutions across the territory.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has alerted heavy to extremely heavy rain in several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on December 9 and 10.

The storm was at high intensity until Friday morning and is centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal about 440 km southeast of Chennai and 350 km east-southeast of Karaikkal. By AM, it was most likely to become a cyclonic storm.
According to the IMD's report, the cyclonic storm's maximum sustained speed will be 65 to 75 kmph, with gusts up to 85 kmph, around Friday night.

Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, V. Irai Anbu held meetings with senior officials of all major departments.
Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been stationed in ten districts throughout Tamil Nadu. The Puducherry and Karaikkal regions have already been reached by NDRF units.

With heavy rains predicted for Friday and Saturday, the Greater Chennai Municipal Corporation was prepared for any situation.

Heavy rain alert issued in these states, schools closed

A cyclonic storm is coming, there will be heavy rain in these states