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Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates: The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm Nivar, which is moving towards northwest direction is excepted to turn into a normal cyclonic storm in the South Interior districts of Karnataka, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru said on Thursday. The severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Tamil Nadu and it is set to further weaken into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday. Bangalore city and neighbourhood are expected to receive light to moderate spells of rain with intermittent heavy spells of rainfall at a few places during the next 48 hours, informed IMD. The tropical storm, which originated in Bay of Bengal, forced authorities in the southern states to declare a public holiday till Thursday, close the Chennai airport and metro services. Amit Shah said that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of cyclone Nivar which made landfall near Puducherry last night. Operations at Chennai airport had been suspended from 7 pm on Wednesday to 9 am on Thursday owing to adverse weather conditions in Chennai. Officials at the Chennai International Airport have announced that flight operations will continue to remain suspended till 9 am on Thursday, keeping in mind the safety of the traveller amid the prevailing weather. The ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ Nivar has now weakened into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The landfall process of very severe cyclonic storm ‘Nivar’ has commenced and it would cross the coast soon, the Indian Meteorological Department said late Wednesday night. The IMD, on its twitter handle said, “Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 50 km east-southeast ofCuddalore, about 40 km east southeast of Puducherry. Landfall process commence [sic]. Centre of cyclone to cross coast nearpuducherry within next 3 hours.” Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have taken a slew of measures to handle the situation arising out of the cyclonic storm, which has led to heavy rainfall in several regions. Over one lakh people have been evacuated from the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in order to “tide over the worst challenge” put up by Cyclone Nivar, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief said on Wednesday. The National Disaster Response Force has earmarked a total of 50 teams ―with 30 being deployed on the ground in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh ― in view of the cyclone moving ahead from the Bay of Bengal towards the coastal areas. Twenty teams have been kept on standby at Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh), Cuttack (Odisha) and Thrissur (Kerala). SN Pradhan, the director general of the federal disaster response force, said all preparations have been done to “tide over the worst challenge that is put up by the cyclone”. “As per reports last received, the cyclone may make a landfall a little later than earlier predicted and it could be after 2 or 3 am on Thursday or on November 26,” Pradhan said in a recorded audio-visual message. The speed is going to be that of a very severe cyclonic storm which is 130-145 kms per hour with gusting winds, he said. The landfall is expected to take place between Mamallapuram and Karaikal. “As per latest reports, more than one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry about 1,000-2,000 people have been evacuated by the local authorities and the NDRF,” he said. He said there is “perfect coordination” between the state and central authorities which are monitoring the cyclone and the force is prepared with equipment such as \ cutters and boats to help rescue those trapped and ensure resumption of normal life. “A total of 25 NDRF teams are deployed on the likely affected coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh after consultation with state authorities. “Out of these, 15 teams have been deployed in costal districts of Tamil Nadu. Six have been positioned at Cuddalore, three at Viluppuram, two teams each at Chennai and Chengalpattu, while one team each at Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts,” an NDRF spokesperson said. Besides, three teams are deployed at Pondicherry and one team at Karaikal, he said. Three NDRF teams have been deployed at Nellore district and one team at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, the spokesperson said. Sensing severity of the situation, five additional NDRF teams have also been kept on alert at Vijayawada and two teams at Vishakhapatnam for immediate backup, he said. “In view of the current COVID-19 scenario, NDRF teams are equipped with appropriate PPE/special kits,” he added. Chennai airport shut The Chennai international airport has been closed till 7 am on Thursday amid bad weather conditions caused by Cyclone Nivar, the civil aviation ministry said. Gusty winds and rains lashed parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, leaving several areas inundated. Authorities have housed over one lakh people in shelters as the severe cyclone hurtled towards the coast. “As a measure of safety and precaution, the Chennai Airport has been temporarily closed from 1900 to 0700 hrs IST due to the bad weather conditions caused by Cyclone Nivar. Due coordination was done with all stakeholders,” the ministry said on Twitter. Naval ships, aircraft and rescue teams have been alerted and are kept on standby. Nivar would intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and it is likely to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry before dawn on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department said. With rains drenching parts of the state, authorities have evacuated over one lakh people and housed them in shelters besides disconnecting power supply in vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure. While Chief Minister K Palaniswami declared Thursday a public holiday for 13 districts, a government order included three more districts considering the safety of people in view of the cyclone. Revenue minister RB Udhayakumar said 1,03,291 people including children have been housed in 1,000 relief centres. Food, water and all other essentials including masks to help prevent coronavirus have been made available to them in the relief centres, he said. A senior official said subsequently, the number has increased to 1,21,152. According to the government, these people have been housed in shelters at Ariyalur, Chengelpet, Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Perambalur, Ranipet, Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, and Villupuram districts. As a precautionary measure, electricity distribution was stopped to consumers in several regions falling under such districts and especially areas that have overhead power transmission lines witnessed power cut since noon. Civic authorities meanwhile removed banners and hoardings in several districts including Chennai and Vellore expecting squally winds. Police personnel placed barricades in arterial roads and important intersections in coastal districts to bar movement of vehicles and the government appealed to the people to stay indoors. Southern Railway said eight trains including the Danapur-KSR Bengaluru Special were diverted skipping Chennai and 10 trains including the Chennai Central-Coimbatore Special were cancelled. Under the influence of the cyclone, coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kariakal regions are likely to receive rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rains at isolated places. Surplus water was released from Chembarambakkam lake, one of the key drinking water sources to the city, since it almost neared its full level, the government said. PWD officials said 1,000 cusecs was released from the lake as the level stood at 22 feet of the total 24 feet. Chennai and its suburbs, which received heavy overnight rains, continued to witness intermittent showers coupled with strong winds with low-lying areas getting inundated and water entering houses in such localities. The government said it has nominated IAS official V Arun Roy to oversee relief activities in Chengelpet district. Civic body officials said stagnant water was pumped out by deploying heavy duty motors and fallen trees were being removed immediately. Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengelpet, Tiruvallur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Nagapattinam are the districts where the holiday is applicable tomorrow and Wednesday has already been declared a holiday. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said all AAP volunteers should be ready to help wherever needed. The AAP national convenor said he hopes the Central and state governments are equipped to handle the situation. “My prayers for the safety of coastal people of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh from cyclone Nivar. Hope state govts and central govt are all equipped to handle this cyclone. All AAP volunteers should be ready to help wherever needed,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Cyclone Nivar Updates: Southern Railways resumes suburban services in Chennai; IMD issues yellow alert in 7 Karnataka districts
Cyclone Nivar Updates: The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm Nivar, which is moving towards northwest direction is excepted to turn into a normal cyclonic storm in the South Interior districts of Karnataka
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Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Tamil Nadu CM distributes relief material in Cuddalore
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami visited a relief camp in Devanampattinam of Cuddalore district to meet people affected by Cyclone Nivar. EPS also distributed relief materials among them, reports ANI.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
As Cyclone Nivar weakens, fisherfolk hope to return to sea
As ‘‘very severe’’ cyclonic storm Nivar, which crossed the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday, weakened into ‘‘severe’’ cyclonic storm, the fisherfolk hope to return to their work soon even as the disaster has not affected the community much.
The very severe cyclonic storm Nivar, which originated in Southwest Bay of Bengal moved northwest direction and crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts with a wind speed of 9 kmph from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 pm today, IMD informed.
“We are happy that cyclone did not affect us. A day ahead, we shifted all our boats and fishing net to a safe zone. Each boat costs ₹ 2 lakh and a bundle of fishing net is for ₹ 70,000. We are thankful to God that our property is safe now,” Sakthi Vel, one of the fishermen from Puducherry’‘s Eraiyanur village, told ANI.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Torrential rains in Andhra Pradesh leave one dead
Normal life was thrown out of gear as heavy to extremely heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 30 cm battered at least half of Andhra Pradesh under the influence of cyclone Nivar, leaving one dead.
Another farmer was feared washed away while NDRF personnel rescued two others from a reservoir in Chittoor district.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, SPS Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa, Krishna, Prakasam and East Godavari districts received heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at more than 177 places. Other districts like Anantapuramu, Kurnool, Guntur and West Godavari were also receiving moderate to heavy rainfall under Nivars impact.
-PTI
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
DMK President M K Stalin visits Velachery area in Chennai
DMK President M K Stalin on November 26 visited Velachery area in Chennai and reviewed the situation in water-logged & residential areas, affected by Cyclone Nivar. Stalin also distributed food and clothes to the locals, reports news agency ANI.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
NDRF assigns 25 teams in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Puducherry
Randeep Rana, DIG NDRF told ANI that 25 NDRF teams were assigned, 15 in Tamil Nadu, 4 in Puducherry and 6 in Andhra Pradesh. “Cyclone is weakening gradually but it has potential to cause further damage. Precautionary measures being taken,” he added.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
IMD predicts heavy rainfall over coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Telangana
As per the IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places likely over north Tamil Nadu, remaining districts of Andhra Pradesh and southeast Telangana today. Fishermen are advised not to venture into SE and adjacent WC Bay of Bengal along & off TN-Puducherry and south AP coast till tonight, reports MoneyControl.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Southern Railway resumes suburban train services
The Southern Railway has resumed the suburban train services on a limited basis, The Hindu reported. The press release said, “The Workmen Suburban train services, which was suspended earlier in view of Cyclone Nivar, would be operated from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.”
“Train services in three routes including Chennai Moore Market Complex – Arakkonam, Chennai Moore Market Complex – Gummudipoondi and Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu would be operated every one hour in up and down directions,” the report added.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
NDRF personnel conduct rescue and relief ops in Puducherry
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Nivar weakens into cyclonic storm
The severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Tamil Nadu and it is set to further weaken into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.
“Severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. The cyclonic storm Nivar would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during next 06 hours and into a depression by subsequent 06 hours,” the IMD said on its twitter handle.
Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the wee hours of today even as heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu and the union territory leading to inundation and uprooting of trees.
Nivar also weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Tamil Nadu CM visits water-logged areas in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visits water-logged areas in Chennai to review the situation after heavy rains battered the state
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Orange alert issued in Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert along the coast of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh as parts of the two states and Union Territory receive heavy rainfall today, reports The Indian Express.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Visuals from Chennai’s Madipakkam area
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Yellow alert in Karnataka districts: IMD
The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm Nivar, which is moving towards northwest direction is excepted to turn into a normal cyclonic storm in the South Interior districts of Karnataka, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru said on Thursday.
Bangalore city and neighbourhood are expected to receive light to moderate spells of rain with intermittent heavy spells of rainfall at a few places during the next 48 hours, informed IMD.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru urban and rural parts, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Mandya, and Ramanagara districts of Karnataka are likely to witness moderate spells of rain on November 26. IMD has issued a yellow alert in these areas.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Three people killed in rain-related incidents in Chennai
At least three people have died and three people have been injured in rain-related incidents in Chennai and surrounding areas after heavy rains lashed parts of Tamil Nadu, as cyclone Nivar made its landfall near Puducherry.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Over 470 people evacuated in Vellore
In Vellore, a total of five huts were damaged, 15 trees and four electricity poles fell due to the wind, approximately 14 acres of banana plantation were damaged, reported The Hindu . A total of 474 persons have been accommodated in 16 relief centres.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Light showers in Bengaluru
Bengaluru on Thursday witnessed cloudy weather and light showers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted generally cloudy sky with moderate rain in the city.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Bus, metro services resume in Chennai
The tropical storm, which originated in Bay of Bengal, forced authorities in the southern states to declare a public holiday till Thursday, close the Chennai airport and metro services.
Metro services in Chennai, shut ahead of landfall, resumed from 12 pm; bus services also resumed. The cyclone “has completely moved to the land, and “it has weakened into a severe cyclonic storm; it would further weaken into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours,” Dr S Balachandran, Director at Chennai’s Meteorological Department, said.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
No casualties reported in Tamil Nadu so far
Cyclone Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours of Thursday, bringing heavy rains to the Union Territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed the coast.
There were no reports of loss of life in Tamil Nadu so far due to the cyclone which uprooted trees. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from some parts of the state.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Closely monitoring situation in TN, Puducherry: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar which made landfall near Puducherry last night.
Shah said that the Centre has assured all help from the Centre.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
NDRF on ground in Puducherry
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel clear uprooted trees in Kamaraj Nagar area of Puducherry.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
E Palaniswai to visit cyclone-affected areas in Cuddalore
Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswai will leave for Cuddalore from Chennai at 11am on Thursday, Times of India reported. He may visit affected areas in Chennai before proceeding to Cuddalore, the worst affected by cyclone Nivar.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Chennai airport resumes operation
Officials at the Chennai International Airport have resumed flights services to and from the city. Operations at Chennai airport had been suspended from 7 pm on Wednesday to 9 am on Thursday owing to adverse weather conditions in Chennai.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Chennai airport suspends flight ops till 9 am today
Officials at the Chennai International Airport have announced that flight operations will continue to remain suspended till 9 am on Thursday, keeping in mind the safety of the traveller amid the prevailing weather.
The official Twitter handle of AAI Chennai Airport said “The closure of Chennaiairport due to cyclone Nivar stands extended till 9.00 hrs of 26.11.2020, on assessing the prevailing climatic conditions and taking passenger safety as top priority. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Public holiday in 16 Tamil Nadu districts
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in 16 districts on Thursday. These include Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Kallakurichi, Tirupattur, Vellore and Ranipet.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Cuddalore received maximum rainfall at 246 mm: IMD
According to the IMD, Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu received 246 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am Wednesday and 2.30 am Thursday while Puducherry received 237 mm, Chennai 89 mm, Karaikal 86 mm, and Nagapatnam 63 mm during the same period.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Cyclone Nivar to further weaken in next three hrs: IMD
Puducherry continued to receive rainfall as cyclone Nivar made landfall on Wednesday morning. Cyclone will now move northwestwards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during the next three hours, says India Meteorological Department (IMD)
sCyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Cyclone Nivar weakens into ‘severe cyclonic storm’: IMD
Cyclone Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours on Thursday, bringing heavy rains to the Union Territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
“Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ after crossing the coast near Puducherry,” according to the weather agency.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Chennai residents park cars on flyover
Before the very severe cyclonic storm NIvar made landfall, residents of one of the worst hit areas during the 2015 deluge in Chennai found a flyover
the safer place to park their cars to avert their vehicles from getting submerged. Determined to avoid a repeat of the 2015 scenario when scores of four-wheelers were filled with flood waters, several residents of Madipakkam in the southern part of the city left their vehicles on the margins of the bridge overlooking the Mass Rapid Transit System railway station in nearby Velacherry.
With the owners one after the other parking their vehicles, the bridge was lined up with swanky cars on both sides of the overpass presenting a never before seen spectacle, civic workers said.
PTI
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Landfall continues, tweets IMD
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Landfall process starts, says IMD
As per the IMD’s 10.30 pm bulletin, Nivar touched the coast and has started the landfall process. “Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 50 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 40 km east southeast of Puducherry. .Centre of cyclone to cross coast near Puducherry within next 3 hours,” it said
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Intensity of cyclone to decrease after 3 am, says IMD Chennai
The intensity of the cyclone will decrease after 3 am but rainfall is expected to continue tomorrow, news agency ANI quotes S Balachandran, IMD Chennai as saying.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Landfall process expected to start soon
In its 9.30 pm bulletin, the IMD said that the very severe cyclonic storm lay 60 km east of Cuddalore and 55 km southeast of Puducherry. It would likely cross the coast close to Puducherry around midnight and the landfall proess is expected to start in an hour, as per the bulletin.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Do’s and Dont’s for cyclone
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Nivar likely to cross TN, Puducherry coasts at midnight: IMD
Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry at midnight says, IMD.
According to The Hindu, IMD Chennai has warned that Cyclone Nivar is likely to maintain cyclonic intensity for about six hours after ladnfall. The cyclone is likely to weaken gradually and hence Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore districtsof Tamil Nadu and Chittoor, Kurnool, Prakasam and Cuddappa districts of Andhra Pradesh can expect extremely heavy rainfall, it said.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
#PHOTOS: Heavy rainfall causes waterlogging in several areas of Puducherry
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Railways cancels over dozen special trains, offers full refund
The Railways has cancelled over a dozen special trains on 25 and 26 November scheduled to either originate from and terminate in the southern states of the country in view of the impending cyclone Nivar, and offered full refund, reports PTI.
‘Nivar’ is forecast intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and is likely to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry before dawn on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department said.
Owing to the onset of Cyclone NIVAR, Southern Railway has announced cancellation of several special train services to destinations that are likely to be affected by unprecedented rains/cyclonic landfall and to other destinations due to operational difficulties.
For the trains fully cancelled by Railways in view of Cyclone NIVAR, full refund of fare will be granted on ticket cancellations. The time limit for availing refunds has also been extended to six months from the date of journey, the Railways said.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Heavy rainfall lashes Puducherry ahead of Nivar’s landfall
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
NDRF deploys 30 teams on ground in Tamil Nadu, Pondy and Andhra
The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 30 teams on the ground in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh as the cyclone moves ahead from the Bay of Bengal towards the coastal areas, reports PTI.
Meanwhile, 20 teams have been kept on standby at Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, Cuttack in Odisha and Thrissur in Kerala.
NDRF chief SN Pradhan says all preparations have been done to “tide over the worst challenge that is put up by the cyclone”.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Ashok Leyland closes Chennai plant as precautionary measure
Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland has closed the Chennai plant as a precautionary measure in view of Cyclone Nivar which is expected to cross the coast later tonight, a company official said on Wednesday.
The city-based heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer expects to resume operations at the facility from November 27, company President-Human Resources, NV Balachandar said.
“Our Chennai plant is closed due to the cyclone as a precautionary measure. We expect to resume operations from November 27….as per the emergency protocols all preventive measures for the cyclone are in place,” he said in a statement.
“At the moment, we do not foresee any delay for fulfilling our existing order book,” he said.
Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates
Pondy govt declares Thursday as public holiday
The territorial administration declared on Thursday a public holiday for all departments and educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal regions, reports The Hindu.
Already, Wednesday was a public holiday. With the cyclonic weather continuing, the administration declared Thursday too as a public holiday for departments and educational institutions. The holiday is declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act.