Saturday, December 17 2005 19:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Widespread rains have been forecast for the next two days over coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry as the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression today (Dec 17,2005).

Weather Office here said the depression now lay 550 kms southeast of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and it was moving in a west north-westerly direction.

It was still early to predict where the system would cross, it said.

Under the influence of the new system, widespread rains, including isolated heavy falls, have been forecast over coastal Tamil Nadu,in the next 48-hours beginning at 8.30 AM today.

Winds with speed reaching 50-60 Kmph was also likely during the period.

In the metropolis, which would also experience few rain spells, the surface winds would be strong and gusty.

Since the condition of the sea was likely to be rough, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.

Distant Cautionary signal number one has been hoisted in some ports, it said.