Landfall of Cyclone Nada, currently 770 km southeast of Chennai, to be between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Highlights Cyclone warning in Tamil Nadu; Heavy rainfall forecast also in Puducherry

It will cross Tamil Nadu coast on Dec. 2; Landfall likely near Cuddalore

Fishermen advised not to venture into the sea

A cyclone building up in the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday, December 2, the Met department has said. Landfall is likely close to Cuddalore between Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Chennai is expected to receive moderate rain from tonight and heavy rainfall has been forecast for north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from tomorrow.The cyclone has been named Nada. It is currently about 770 km south east of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, and is expected to move west and intensify."Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence to prevail along and off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from December 1. Sea condition would be rough to very rough," the Met department has said.It has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from today evening onwards. Those at sea have been advised to return to the coast immediately.Cuddalore is about 20 km away from Puducherry, whose Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said today that his administration is "on full alert" and well-prepared for the cyclone.

He said shelters have been kept ready for people who may have to be evacuated from near the sea and storm water drains have been cleared to avoid flooding.Light to moderate rainfall is also forecast in Kerala, with some places in the state receiving heavy rain on Friday.