Cyclonic storm 'WARD' over the southwest Bay of Bengal weakens into a deep depression

The cyclonic storm 'WARD' over southwest Bay of Bengal moved southwards and weakened into a deep depression over the same region. It lay centred at 2330 hours IST of yesterday, 12th December 2009 near lat. 9.50 N and long. 83.50 E, about 350 km east-northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 400 km southeast of Nagapattinam and 450 km east-northeast of Pamban. The system is likely to move in a west-southwesterly direction and cross north Sri Lanka near Lat. 9.00 N around noon of today, the 13th December, 2009. It is then likely to emerge into Gulf of Mannar and cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Kanyakumari and Pamban around night of 13th December, 2009.

Under its influence, rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over north coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry during next 48 hours. Rainfall at most places with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls ( ≥ 25 cm) is also likely over south coastal Tamilnadu during same period.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 Kmph are likely along and off south Tamil Nadu coast during next 48 hours . Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is also likely along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast during next 24 hours. Sea condition will be high along and off south Tamil Nadu coast and very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Damage expected: Minor damage to loose and unsecured structures

Action suggested: Fishermen are advised not to venture into the open sea.

Source : India Meteorological Department

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