Cyclone Nilam to cross near Mahabhalipuram by late evening today with 100 km winds. Chennai people are warned to take precautionary measures.

The last Cyclone to cross here in 1994 devastated Chennai http://tamilnaduweatherman.blogspot.in/2011/12/recall-of-1994-cyclone-as-chennai-fears.html 

Forecasted Track of Cylcone Nilam

Warning 

People in affected areas are advised to remain indoors. Total suspension of fishing operations. Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer places. The Damage expected from Nilam are Damage to thatched huts, Breaking of tree branches, minor damage to power and communication lines and Flooding of escape routes.

Rainfall Warning

The most intense storm of Cyclone Nilam yet to reach Chennai. When it reaches Chennai will float in Water. Please see Enhanced Infrared (IR) Imagery below

Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25o mm or more) during next 24 hrs. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north Interior Tamil Nadu during next 48 hrs.

Storm Surge:

Storm surge of about 1 -1.5 metre over the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai, Kanchipuram & Tiruvallur of Tamilnadu and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Winds:

Squally winds speed reaching 90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu Chennai, Kanchipuram & Tiruvallur of Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh as the system comes closer to coast, becoming 80-90 kmph at the time of landfall. Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 36 hours.