Cyclone Mandous Makes Landfall, Four Killed, More than 150 Fishing Boats Damaged

Chennai: Cyclone Mandous made landfall close to Mamallapuram at midnight of December 9 and has weakened into a deep depression. The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai informed that the cyclone would further weaken into depression. A wind speed of 70-75 kmph was recorded during the landfall.

The cyclone brought severe rainfall to most north coastal districts, including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai. Night services of buses and electric trains were suspended due to heavy rains and winds in most districts.

Fishing hamlets bore the brunt of high tides and gusty winds, leading to damage to houses and fishing boats. Four deaths have been reported so far due to rain-related incidents. Hundreds of trees, including palm trees, along the seashore and electric poles were uprooted due to severe winds.

More than 205 camps have been set up to accommodate around 9,000 people from low-lying areas. The departments of revenue, electricity and public works of the government of Tamil Nadu and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) are carrying out relief measures and restoring normalcy.

The pull effects are expected to bring rains to Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Salem, Ranipet, Krishnagiri and Tirupathur.

Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Tirupathur and Krishnagiri are expected to receive heavy rains as per the forecast of the IMD.

IMPACT ALONG THE COASTAL AREAS

High tides along the east coast were reported from as early as the evening of December 9 when cyclone Mandous moved towards the inland between Mamallapuram and Sriharikota. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier reclassified Mandous as a cyclone from a severe cyclone. The change in the system resulted in reduced rains and wind speeds.

The coastal areas along the northern districts have suffered damage due to sea intrusion and gusty winds. In the Kasimedu harbour, more than 150 fibre and country boats were severely damaged. More than 180 huts were also destroyed during the landfall of cyclone Mandous.

In Marakkanam in Vizhupuram district, known for salt harvesting, more than 3,000 acres of salt pans are inundated in rainwater. The preparatory works for harvesting began just a couple of weeks ago and the workers face the impossible task of restoring the pans.

Due to heavy winds, boats in fishing harbours and those anchored on the shore were damaged beyond repair. More than 10 boats anchored in the Mayiladuthurai district were damaged due to rough seas.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) cancelled 27 flights originating from Chennai. The bus services to Mahabalipuram from Chennai were restored on December 10 along the east coast road.

Around 30 palm trees were uprooted along the coast close to Mamallapuram due to sea erosion.

CM VISITS RELIEF CAMPS

Chief Minister M K Stalin visited several locations around Chennai to assess the impact of the cyclone and provide relief measures. He informed the media that more than 400 trees were uprooted in Chennai. "Compensation will be announced for the kin of those killed in rain-related incidents and to damaged houses and fishing boats. Normalcy has been restored in Chennai," he told the media.

Several parts of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Tiruvallur and Vizhuppuram received more than 100 mm of rain during the last 24 hours. The water levels in the seas around Chennai increased only to recede after the landfall. The newly inaugurated ramp for the differently abled in Marina Beach was also damaged.

Despite high winds and heavy rains, most parts of Chennai remained free from severe waterlogs. The GCC was credited for the instant removal of uprooted trees and draining stagnant water.

Four cars were severely damaged after a T Nagar school's compound wall collapsed due to rain and water inundation. Around 3,800 ponds have reached full capacity, including those supplying drinking water to Chennai.

The minister for electricity claimed that more than 11,000 workers of the department were working round the clock to restore electricity in Chennai and other districts. Though the impact of the cyclone was relatively lower than the recent powerful cyclones, adequate preparatory works are said to be behind the reduced damages.