Chennai received heavy rainfall as cyclone Nada weakened into a deep depression on Thursday. It is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday morning, said Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran.

The deep depression is currently in the south west region of Bay of Bengal, about 210 km south east of Puducherry. It is predicted to move in the westnorth direction before it crosses the coast. Balachandran, however, said that several parts of Tamil Nadu will witness moderate rainfall while the coastal areas are likely to receive a heavy downpour.

The showers brought relief to farmers who are hit by crop failure because of water scarcity, reported PTI. The north-east monsoon usually manages to record about 48% rainfall in Tamil Nadu in November and December. However, the state has not had any rain in November yet. November is likely to be one of the driest months the state has had in the past few decades, skymetweather.com said.

Meanwhile, the authorities claimed that they were prepared for any eventuality. On Wednesday, the India Met Department had issued a cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response teams were kept on stand-by while all 32 districts of Cuddalore were being monitored. Schools were asked to remain shut on Thursday and Friday. “Be it heavy rain or gusty winds, all preparations are on [to tackle the situation],” state Revenue Minister RB Udaya Kumar told PTI.

The Eastern Command of the Navy is also ready to offer all possible help, reported ANI. Ships INS Shakti and INS Satpura, equipped with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters, food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets, are on stand-by. Besides, INS Ranjit will also be deployed if need be.