Monday, December 19 2005 15:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Widespread rains have been forecast for Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry for the next two days under the influence of a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal which is likely to make landfall only tomorrow (Dec 20, 2005) night, Area Cyclone Warning Centre said.

"The depression, which last night lay 300-Kms east southeast of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, continued to remain in the same place at 8.30 AM today. The movement of the system is sluggish and it is likely to intensify and move in a northwesterly direction and cross North Tamil Nadu coast and Andhra Pradesh between Cuddalore and Nellore only tomorrow night," the centre's Director S R Ramanan said here today.

"Under its influence widespread rain, including isolated heavy to very heavy falls, is likely in the coastal areas of the state and Pondicherry in the next 24-hours beginning at 8.30 AM today. Strong winds with speeds reaching 50-60 Kmph are also likely during the same period," he told reporters.

He did not rule out the system intensifying into a cyclonic storm.

During the 24-hours ending at 8.30 AM today, the four reservoirs of Cholavaram, Red Hills, Ponneri and Chembarabakkam, meeting the water needs of the metropolis, received nine, seven, five and three cms of rain each, while the city recorded six cms, he added.

Authorities declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur districts today following the rains since yesterday.