Saturday, December 10 2005 17:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The threat posed by the cyclonic storm to the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry coast eased as it weakened into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal this morning and crossed the Tamil Nadu coast near Vedaranyam, causing heavy rains in the area, the Area Cyclone Warning Centre said.

Cyclone 'Fanoos' weakened into a deep depression and was expected to cross Vedaranyam (in Nagapattinam district) only in the afternoon, but it crossed the town around 11.00AM, the Centre's Director S R Ramanan said here.

It is likely to weaken further, he said.Under its influence, rainfall is likely to occur at many places over North coastal Tamil Nadu and south Tamil Nadu with isolated heavy falls during the next 24-hours beginning at 8.30 AM this morning.

"Squally weather with wind speed reaching 50-60 Kmph is still likely along-off Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry during the same period. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for one more day," he said.

"The forecast for Chennai is that it will be generally cloudy with one or two rain spells," he said.