Cyclonic winds bypassed the eastern coast of India and headed towards Bangladesh on Wednesday, reported NDTV. This was after a cyclone warning was issued in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal following heavy rains in the last two days. The Indian Meteorological Department issued a warning for heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the next 48 hours, along with wind speeds up to 75 kmph.

“The low pressure over north Sri Lanka and adjoining areas of Gulf of Mannar and southwest Bay of Bengal has moved and intensified into depression and as of 8.30 hours is located 240 km South East of Chennai,” Regional Meteorological Centre director S Balachandran said in a statement.

The Tamil Nadu government has kept 25 boats on standby for rescue operations, while the National Disaster Response Force has also deployed teams to Chennai, reported Hindustan Times. Fishermen have also been advised to not go out to sea. Heavy rains, which led to floods, in November last year killed nearly 350 people in Tamil Nadu.