A fisherman holding an umbrella stands next to his fishing boat before it is moved to a safer place after heavy rains on Marina beach in the southern Indian city of Chennai December 29, 2011. Rice, groundnut and maize crops in coastal areas of two southern Indian states could be damaged by a cyclonic storm which is currently expected to hit land on December 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

A boy struggles to hold onto his umbrella during strong winds on Marina beach in the southern Indian city of Chennai December 29, 2011. Rice, groundnut and maize crops in coastal areas of two southern Indian states could be damaged by a cyclonic storm which is currently expected to hit land on December 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

A man is drenched by a large wave during high tide as he cycles past at a fishing harbour in Chennai December 28, 2011.

Boys run past a large wave during high tide on Marina beach in the southern Indian city of Chennai December 29, 2011. Rice, groundnut and maize crops in coastal areas of two southern Indian states could be damaged by a cyclonic storm which is currently expected to hit land on December 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

Fishermen move their boats to safer ground during heavy rains on the Marina beach in the southern Indian city of Chennai December 29, 2011. India's weather office called on Thursday for villages to be evacuated, farmers to protect their crops and fishermen to stay ashore hours before a cyclone was due to strike the southeast coast.

A woman discards rain water from her hut made of coconut leaves in a slum area in the southern Indian city of Chennai December 29, 2011. Rice, groundnut and maize crops in coastal areas of two southern Indian states could be damaged by a cyclonic storm which is currently expected to hit land on December 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

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