KANYAKUMARI: Four people have been reported dead after torrential overnight rains accompanied by squally winds lashed this district, uprooting scores of trees and affecting normal life today. The IMD today said that the deep depression which had formed in the Bay of Bengal region on Wednesday had now intensified into a cyclonic storm named Ockhi.
More rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours as the cyclone is likely to get become severe. Chennai will get intermittent spells of rain. [SEE HERE: Cyclone Ockhi in pictures]
The district administration asked people not to venture out following the heavy rains and squally winds.
Many parts suffered power cuts even as educational institutions remained closed in this district.
A couple of trains, originating and passing through this district suffered partial to full cancellation, even as some of them were rescheduled, Southern Railway officials said.
Local administration employed personnel to remove uprooted trees even as movement of vehicular traffic was affected.
Meanwhile, rains accompanied with strong winds lashed many parts of south Tamil Nadu such as Tirunelveli and Tuticorin among others.
Fishermen stayed off the sea in Tuticorin even as boats anchored on the shore suffered damage following strong winds.
Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.