The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and at present lay 800-km east southeast of Chennai, but rains were likely in many parts of the state only from Thursday, the weather office said Wednesday.

They told PTI that the system was moving in a westerly direction, but added that it was too early to say where the cyclone would cross land. Hence, no rain warning was being given.

Under its influence, rain or thundershowers were likely in many parts of north coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry from Thursday evening.

The announcement of an impending cyclone comes at a time when rain affected areas of the state are slowly limping back to normalcy, with receding water levels in most places. There has been no rain for three days now.

Meanwhile, official sources said all precautionary measures were being taken in view of the cyclone.