Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard rescued three stranded persons from an oil rig 30 nautical miles off Cuddalore coast in view of cyclone Mandous. The three persons were rescued from a Floating Production Unit (FPU) Tahara.
The coast guard rescued them in advance light helicopter despite the rains and high tides induced by the cyclone.
In a tweet, Indian Coast Guard said, “In valiant act, @IndiaCoastGuard Advance Light Helicopter #ALH rescued 03 stranded persons from Floating Production Unit (FPU) Tahara,30 NM off #Cuddalore. Despite the prevalent fury of cyclone, #ICG Helicopter braved the situation & evacuated 03 personnel safely from oil rig.”
WATCH:
Also Read | Cyclone Mandous To Hit Coast Around Mahabalipuram, NDRF Teams Deployed In Tamil Nadu — 10 Points
Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Cyclone Mandous will hit the coast around Mahabalipuram on Friday at midnight. It also said that the cyclone will hit the coast as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph during midnight near Chennai.
According to ANI, AP MET Department said: “Cyclone will continue to move west-northwestwards & cross north Tamilnadu, Puducherry & adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts b/w Puducherry & Sriharikota around Mahabalipuram as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph during midnight.”
As a result, NDRF and TN rescue forces have been rushed to 12 districts including Chennai and Cuddalore. A red alert has been sounded to Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kanchipuram and Puducherry. The district administrations have also announced a holiday on December 9 for schools and colleges in over 20 districts including Chennai, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Salem.