Cyclone Thane
A man is drenched by a large wave during high tide as he cycles past at a fishing harbour in Chennai Dec. 28, 2011. The coastal districts in the state have been put on high alert in view of Cyclone Thane which is currently 350 km off the coast of Chennai and is likely to cross the coast on Dec. 30.Reuters

Six persons were killed as cyclonic storm "Thane" crossed the Tamil Nadu coast Friday, it has been reported.

Five persons died in Cuddalore due to wall collapse and electrocution, and a man died after his house collapsed at Vanarampet in Puducherry, agencies reported.

The cyclone caused extensive damage in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puduchery.

Heavy rains disrupted train services in southern Tamil Nadu. Many international flights from Chennai were cancelled.

The Metrological department issued an advisory to fishermen in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, urging them not to venture into the sea. "Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into sea. Those who are out at sea are advised to return to the coast. This is because of the Cyclonic storm 'Thane' over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal which is likely to move west-northwestwards," reads the advisory.