Reviewed at 10.pm IST, "Thane" is about 100 kms East of Puducherry. Notching up slightly, Pressure at 986 mb, the surface winds are 125 kmph, both parameters strengthening in the last 2 hrs.

Tracking slightly Northwards, 12.3N now), at about 10 kms per hour (currently), it can be assumed to cross the coast South of Chennai by early Friday Morning.

Chennai is facing gusty winds (NE) since 8.30 pm, and gusts have topped 56 kmph.

Cudalore is experiencing moderate to heavy rains, and is a cool 23c at 9 pm. Wind s are at 30-35 kmph, with gust probibility of 60 kmph.

Some strong showers on way for Pondicherry coast.. will reach around 1am.. We need some one to report directly from Pondicherry zone.

It's almost a repeat of Cyclone JAL for Chennai. From 8:30am today city has recorded only 2.4cm till 9:09pm. Too early to decide ??!!

Cyclone Thane is slowly starting to weaken, pressure has increased from 982mb to 989mb, and wind speeds have reduced to 110km/hr

chennai - will not have any strong showers till 1am ... and will pickup towards morning! Ground winds will be upto 35km/hr till 1am.

chennai - Now most of the showers are concentrated over W-S-W of EYE of Cyclone.. so showers are for Pondicherry coast only at the moment.

Now 8:15pm, most of the deep convective bands are over W-S-W of Cyclone EYE, So chennai is having a break from strong showers.

Currently at 8.00 pm IST, "Thane "is 110 kms East of Puducherry, and has commenced its weakening phase. It is now 989 mb and surface maximum winds have dropped to 110 kmph. This weakening was expected from tonite (See previous post). 

Rainfall in Chennai ( as per Kea Station) till 8.30 pm 24 mms.

Next Update at 10.0 pm IST.

Here's the latest 8:30pm radar image showing the EYE is still visible and located around 120km East of Pondicherry.. http://ow.ly/i/oCdq

Cyclone is going to cross Pondicherry coast after 6am of 30-Dec.. Now (8:30pm) it's located around 120km East of Pondicherry