Cyclone Nilam Weakens

Cyclone Nilam crossed Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening without leaving much damage behind, after it substantially weakened when it made landfall in the state. The system centred about 75km south of Anantapur district, on the southwest of Andhra Pradesh at 5.30am on Thursday. The system would move west northwestwards and weaken further into a low pressure area during the next 12 hours.

Heavy rain is expected at isolated places across Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and north interior Tamil Nadu during the next 24 hours, under the influence of the system. The cyclone has killed at least four people.Schools and offices remained closed in many areas on Wednesday following the met department's warning. In order to avoid traffic congestion, government and most private organisations in Chennai were closed at 3pm. Nearly 4,000 people had been evacuated around Mahabalipuram and shifted to relief centres.