Nilam intensifies into severe cyclonic storm

Cyclone 'Nilam' on Wednesday intensified into a severe storm with extremely heavy rainfall expected over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry even as the weather department warned of extensive damage to huts, standing crops and power lines.

The cyclone is expected to cross between Puducherry and Nellore in Andhra Pradeshclose to Chennai on Wednesday evening.

"The system would intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and move north-westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by this evening, it said in its latest bulletin.

Gusty winds with a maximum surface wind speed of 45 kmph to 110 kmph is expected, it said.

Extremely heavy rainfall of over 25 cm or more is expected over north Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours.