AlHijjah 16, 1433, Nov 1, 2012, SPA - A cyclone that hit India's south-eastern coast killed seven people before it weakened Thursday without causing serious damage to property, officials and news reports said. Cyclone Nilam, accompanied by heavy rains and winds at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, made landfall Wednesday at Mahabalipuram, 50 kilometres south of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state. "Three people died in rain-related incidents in three districts, including a house collapse," an official at the disaster control room in Chennai said by phone. In another incident, a crew member of an oil tanker that ran aground off Chennai died and five others were missing, broadcaster NDTV reported. Fifteen sailors were rescued. Three more people were killed in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh as heavy rain and high winds lashed coastal districts, the Times of India said.
