Continuous rains are lashing the state of Tamil Nadu ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Mandous around December 9 midnight.
The intensity of rainfall has however lessened. Red alerts continue to be in place in three districts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Villupuram.
The state also announced closure of schools and colleges in Chennai and 12 other districts following IMD's warning.
Meanwhile NDRF teams have also been put in place in areas expected to bear cyclone brunt.
The cyclone is also expected to hit Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of December 10.
Puducherry CM N Rangasamy reviewed the preparations ahead of cyclone arrival in the union territory where moderate to heavy rains have been witnessed throughout the day.
While heavy rains were witnessed in several areas of Andhra Pradesh including Tirumala, Tirupati
IMD has predicted that the cyclone "will cross the coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota around midnight of December 9."