Sun Dec 01 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Cyclone Mandous Makes Landfall, Brings Heavy Rain and High Winds to Tamil Nadu
**Chennai, December 3, 2022** – Cyclone Mandous, which intensified from a deep depression on November 27th, made landfall near Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, late Saturday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone crossed the coast between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM.
The storm, initially located about 200 km southeast of Chennai on Friday evening, moved closer throughout Saturday, causing winds reaching 70 km/h in Chennai and its suburbs. Areas like Kelambakkam, Thiruvidandhai, and Mamallapuram in Chengalpattu district experienced even stronger winds, gusting between 90 and 100 km/h.
While Chennai saw the rain subside after the cyclone’s approach, strong winds persisted. However, the surrounding areas experienced intense rainfall along with high winds. Following landfall, the cyclone weakened into a low-pressure area and is expected to move west across Karnataka and Kerala, eventually dissipating over the Arabian Sea.
The IMD issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall along the coastal districts from Chennai to the Delta region. A red alert was issued for heavy rainfall in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore districts. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea due to the predicted strong winds (up to 75 km/h) along the north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts on December 1st.
Rainfall totals were significant, with Meenambakkam in Chennai recording 114.2 mm between Saturday morning and 7:30 PM. Nungambakkam recorded 104.2 mm, and Puducherry recorded 95.6 mm. The state government’s warnings led to a largely deserted Chennai city as residents heeded advice to stay indoors. The unusual southward turn of the cyclone before landfall took meteorologists by surprise. The IMD forecasts moderate rain in many parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from December 1st to 4th.
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