The India Meteorological Department today said that a deep depression is centered over the Southwest Bay of Bengal near the north Sri Lanka coast. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Coastal areas of  Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh till Saturday. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, the Director General of IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the depression is moving towards the north-northwest and expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by tonight.

The cyclonic storm is anticipated to reach near the north Tamil Nadu coast around Saturday morning. IMD said the storm is expected to weaken after hitting the coast. The weather department advised fishermen not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal, Sri Lanka coast, Tamil Nadu Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coast.