Heavy rain lashes Chennai, wind speed likely to cross 100kmph

CHENNAI: Heavy rain accompanied by high-speed wind lashed Chennai and other northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on Monday morning even as very severe cyclonic storm Vardah , which is at present situated at 140km off Chennai coast, is set to make landfall in the afternoon .

Vardah

is moving at a speed of 13km and is likely to cross the coast between Chennai and Gummidipoondi.

Wind speed is likely to increase to 100 to 120km per hour when the storm makes landfall.

"Due to the severe storm, there has been continuous rain in Chennai and its suburbs.

Kancheepuram

and Tiruvallur districts have also received heavy rainfall since morning," said a Regional Meterological Centre official.

Chennai has recorded 7.5cm of rain since midnight till 9.30am on Monday. Trees were uprooted in several parts of the city. Temperature has dropped to 21 degree Celsius in the city.

State revenue minister R B Udayakumar asked people to stay indoors and assured that government had taken all precautionary steps to prevent any damage.

''Generators and motors have been kept ready in places where water logging is likely and in subways. Many people living in the low-level areas have been moved to safe places," said the minister.

Ennore, Pulicat and other coastal areas in Chennai have seen high tides since morning.