Wednesday, December 7 2005 15:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and presently lay 800-km east southeast of Chennai, but rains were likely in many parts of the state only from tomorrow (December 7, 2005), the weather office said today (December 7, 2005).

They told PTI that the system was now moving in a westerly direction, but that it was too early to say where the cyclone would cross the landfall. Hence, no rain warning was being given.

Under its influence, rain or thundershowers are likely in many parts of north coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry from tomorrow (December 7, 2005) evening.

The announcement of an impending cyclone comes at a time when rain affected areas of the state are slowly limping back to normalcy, with receding water levels in most places.

There has been no rain for three days now. Meanwhile, official sources said all precautionary measures were being taken in view of the cyclone.