Friday, December 2 2005 19:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The deep depression over south-west Bay of Bengal and adjoining west Bay weakened into a well marked low pressure area today (Dec 2, 2005) even as the Tamil Nadu capital was battered by heavy rains for three hours.

Yesterday's deep depression turned into a depression this morning but it weakened further and has turned into a well marked low pressure area by 2.30 PM, the Area Cyclone Warning Centre said in a special bulletin.

Consequent to the weakening of the system, squally weather was no longer likely along and off Tiruvallur, Chennai and Kanchipuram districts of the state, it said.

"The metropolis and suburbs would experience few spells of rains," it said, adding, "Fishermen have been advised to be cautious for the next one day."

However, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was forecast over most places over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, at many places over north interior Tamil Nadu and at a few places over south Tamil Nadu in the 24-hours beginning 8.30 AM today.

Earlier in the day, the Centre had said the depression lay 250-kms east-southeast off Chennai and was likely to cross between Chennai and Ongole in Andhra Pradesh tonight.

On Wednesday and yesterday, the cyclonic storm, which was located 400-kms east northeast of Chennai had remained stationary, but weakened last night.

The heavy rains, which flooded low-lying areas in Chennai and suburbs, forced the abandonment of first day's play of cricket match between India and Sri Lanka. The water-logging also affected vehicular traffic.