Saturday, December 10 2005 14:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: As Tamil Nadu, particularly Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts and Pondicherry prepared itself to face the onslaught of cyclone 'Fanoos', weather office here said the system has weakened into a deep depression, but widespread rains were likely in the next two-days.

The deep depression, moving in a westerly direction, was very close to Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu and likely to cross the town by this afternoon.

Under its influence, rainfall would occur over most places in South Tamil Nadu and North Tamil Nadu coasts during the next 48-hours beginning at 8.30 AM this morning.

Also strong winds reaching 50-60 Kmph speed would also occur during the same period.

Late last night 'Fanoos' was centered over the south-west Bay of Bengal about 200 kms east of Nagapattinam and it was expected to cross between Pondicherry and Thondi in Tamil Nadu.

"All precautions have been taken in view of the impending cyclone, including shifting of people to safer places," official sources said.

More than one lakh people, including fishermen, were evacuated from the coastal hamlets of Cuddalore district in view of the threat of cyclonic storm. A red alert had been sounded at all the 51 coastal hamlets situated along the 57-km-long coastline in the district besides forming as many as 15 medical teams, official sources said.

A holiday was declared for the educational institutions in Tiruchirapalli, Nagapattinam and Pondicherry today (Dec 10, 2005).