The depression formed in the equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression by this evening. The chief of Meteorology Department in Chennai, Dr Balachandran told reporters last evening, the system would further intensify into a cyclone this evening and move in the northwesterly direction.
The weather system as observed in the wee hours today is situated at about 1340 km south-east of Chennai coast and 1620 km South-South-East of Machilipattinam. It is set to reach northern Tamil Nadu coast as a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday. As per the naming protocol, it will then be known as “Cyclone Fani,” as named by Bangladesh. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea during the time and those in the deep sea have been asked to return to the shores.