Jal Cyclone Status : More Rains expected in TN, AP & Karnataka

More than one lakh people from 700 villages in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated as a severe cyclonic storm christened “ Jal” is all set to bring down thunder showers and heavy rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

"The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards, crossed north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts close to north of Chennai between 2230 and 2330 hrs IST and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 7th November 2010, over coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh near lat.13.50N and long. 80.00E, about 60 km northwest of Chennai. It would move west-northwestwards and weaken gradually," the IMD said on its website.

Under the influence of the cyclone, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will see rains and thundershowers over the next 12 hours, while Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh regions will see heavy to very heavy rains.

However, the villagers and the administration have heaved a sigh of relief after the cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam declared that it is not going to be a super cyclone as was initially feared.

Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao said the intensity of the cyclone had weakened. “ But it still can cause considerable damage to the coastal districts,” he said.

The cyclone centred around 150 km south- east of Nellore when the last reports came in, was moving towards the coast. It is expected to cross the coast between Chennai and Nellore early on Monday.

According to the Met department, the cyclonic storm is likely to trigger tidal waves several metres high. The IMD forecast says heavy rainfall of up to 25 cm likely to hit the four districts falling in the cyclone's path.

Gusty winds at the speed of 120- 140 kmph are likely to sweep the area.

The minister said 56 relief camps have been set up in Nellore district, 108 in Prakasam, 65 in East Godavari, five in Krishna and one in West Godavari. “ We are moving in a systematic way in the rescue and relief operations to minimise human and material losses,” Prasada Rao said.