India braces for Cyclone Mandous

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mandous, a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu December 9, 2022.

Schools and colleges in 27 districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Vellore and Tiruvallur, have been shut. Cyclone Mandous is around 240 kilometres (km) southeast of Karaikal and about 320 km southeast of Chennai.

It will cross the coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota, near Mahabalipuram, during the early hours of December 10, with wind speeds of 65-75 kmph. Since Chennai lies in the direct path of the cyclone, the city needs to brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days.

Since wind speeds are not fierce, maximum impact will be felt through rainfall. The volume of rainfall in the coastal areas may be as high as 200 millimetres, with interior areas receiving 100-200 mm.

Another impact of the cyclone could be in terms of storm surge, which is the increase in the height of tidal waves during a storm or cyclone.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu which is on red alert, Andhra Pradesh which is on orange alert and Puducherry, are prepared with the National Disaster Relief Force on standby.

Some 169 relief camps have been constructed in Chennai, with 805 motor pumps to drain stagnant water from low-lying areas. If Chennai gets flooded, it would be the third urban flood within a month (after November 1 and 10). Fishing communities have been instructed to keep rescue boats ready.