CHENNAI: The cyclonic storm formed off Puducherry in Bay of Bengal is expected to hit the coast by Monday midnight.
“The depression is 300 km southeast from Puducherry coast, which is likely to move northwest, said S.R.Ramanan, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre here.
“In the next 12 hours we expect it to become deep depression,” he added.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Departments of the territorial administration have been geared up to meet any eventuality in the wake of the impending cyclone.
People living in low-lying and coastal areas have been advised to shift to safer places such as school and public buildings. The District Collector, in a statement issued here, asked fishermen not to venture into the sea.
Meanwhile, incessant rains continued to lash Puducherry, disrupting normal life.
Rain has also dampened pre-Diwali shopping in the city, while the administration has declared holiday for schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal on Monday.