Cyclone Nilam set to hit, may be softer than expected

The dreaded Cyclone Nilam is likely to make landfall between Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh around 6 pm, according to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone was about it is 260 km away from the Tamil Nadu capital of Chennai as of 1 pm.

"Nilam is expected to cross the coast between Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh today evening," a weather official said. As a result, heavy rainfall is expected at most places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The landfall areas are likely to see waves of 1 metre to 1.5 m high.

Schools and colleges in Chennai have been closed since Tuesday.

The wind speed at the time of landfall is expected be as much as 100 km per hour, which will probably cause a disruption in communications. Low-lying areas of Tamil Nadu like the districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur could be inundated by the storm. In fact this has already started, with heavy rain in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Bangalore in Karnataka.

The cyclone may not be as severe as was anticipated earlier. ''It is slower than expected,'' Y E A Raj, deputy director general of the meteorological department, said. But he was quick to add that this in no way meant that it is not dangerous. The landfall area and surrounding areas may see heavy damage, he said, asking people to take precautions.

The sea will be rough for the next 36 hours off the coast of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh, according to the IMD.