Cyclone Mandous: bad weather prompts cancellation of 16 Chennai flights

Chennai international airport has cancelled at least 16 flights ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Mandous around December 9 midnight.

Taking to Twitter, the airport cited "adverse weather conditions" for the decision and asked passengers to check with the concerned airlines for further updates.

Meanwhile, continuous rains are lashing the state of Tamil Nadu. The intensity of rainfall has however lessened. Red alerts continue to be in place in three districts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Villupuram.

Also watch:Cyclone Mandous: Tamil Nadu & adjoining states brace for landfall

The state also announced closure of schools and colleges in Chennai and 12 other districts following IMD's warning.

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 Puducheery and Sriharikota around midnight of December 9."