Cyclone Tomas Triggers Rain Alerts in Andaman, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cyclone watch for the Bay of Bengal, noting that a low‑pressure system named Tomas is organizing and moving westward, prompting rain alerts for three Indian regions. The alerts cover the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where residents have been advised to stay prepared for heavy showers, possible flash floods and landslides, especially in low‑lying and hilly areas. The IMD expects the system to bring moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours, with wind gusts up to 60 km/h in the warned zones; no immediate threat of landfall has been indicated, but the situation will be monitored continuously. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ weather bureau is also tracking Tomas as it approaches the western Pacific, highlighting regional coordination among neighboring countries. Authorities in the affected Indian regions have activated disaster response teams and urged the public to follow official advisories.