Cyclone Nivar Updates: Cyclone to intensify into severe storm in 12 hrs; Tamil Nadu sees heavy rainfall in areas

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Three flights cancelled, more flights from Chennai airport to affected, say airport authorities 

Due to Cyclone Nivar, flights to and from Chennai airport may get affected. As of now, three flights from Chennai airport stand canceled. The airport has set up a control room where airlines, state administration, and MET dept are coordinating for smooth operations, as per officials from Chennai airport, reports ANI.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Chennai Metro services to run on ‘holiday timetable’

Amid the approaching cyclonic storm intensifying, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited has announced that train services will be operating as per the ‘Holiday’ timetable on 25 November. The service hours will be from 7 am to 10 pm, with the headway of every 10 minutes.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

TN govt pulling out all stops to ensure no repeat of 2015 floods in city

The Tamil Nadu government is pulling out all stops to ensure no repeat of the 2015 floods in the city, as they mounted a vigil on four reservoirs, anticipating a rapid rise in water levels in view of heavy rains forecast due to cyclone Nivar, likely to cross the state coast on Wednesday.

The administration has taken necessary precautions to release the water in phases and avert flooding, as in 2015, in the event of an upsurge in the storage levels, a senior PWD department official said.

The combined storage level in the reservoirs at Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam stood at 64.15 percent or 8.156 TMC ft against the full capacity of 12.713 TMC ft, which is slightly higher compared to the quantum two days ago.

Chembarambakkam which has nearly 80 percent water (21.22 feet against its full level capacity of 24 feet) has become a cause for concern for residents, reminding them of the 2015 deluge.

-PTI

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Rahul Gandhi urges people to stay indoors, follow safety measures

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on 24 November urged people to follow safety measures as cyclone Nivar was expected to intensify and hit the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on 25 November. He also urged people to stay indoors and asked Congress workers to provide assistance wherever needed.

“Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures. I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need. Stay indoors, stay safe,” Gandhi said on Twitter.

-PTI

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Indigo flight operations to and from 4 cities affected

Following heavy rains in the wake of Cyclone Nivar, IndiGo has announced that the operation of flights to and from Chennai, Rajahmundry, Tiruchirapalli and Vijayawada are likely to be affected. 

#6ETravelAdvisory: #CycloneAlert: For flight status, please visit https://t.co/tOvkLoalM2. pic.twitter.com/xupLj9xViH

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Waterlogging seen in many areas of Chennai following rainfall

Tamil Nadu: Waterlogging in many areas of Chennai following rainfall. #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/VqPKQAWkOL

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Andhra CM asks Collectors to be vigilant in view of cyclone Nivar

With a heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm expected in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts under the influence of cyclone Nivar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday asked the Collectors to be on a high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent damage.

The Chief Minister held a video conference with Collectors of SPS Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts and reviewed the situation in view of the cyclone.

Though the cyclone would make its landfall in Tamil Nadu, heavy rains were likely in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts from Wednesday evening, the Chief Minister said.

“About 11-20 cm of rainfall is expected in SPS Nellore, Chittoor, parts of Kadapa, coastal areas of Prakasam, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts.

Winds with speed ranging from 65-75 kmph are also likely. We have to be geared up for this,” the Chief Minister told the Collectors.

Jagan asked the Collectors of SPS Nellore, Chittoor, and Prakasam districts to concentrate on opening relief camps wherever required for moving people to safety.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Puducherry govt imposes Section 144

The Puducherry district administration on Tuesday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 to prevent movement of people in public places. All shops and business establishments have also been directed to be closed from 9 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Thursday.

“Puducherry is likely to be severely affected by the cyclone and there is a grave danger to life, health and safety of people. This order is not applicable to staff engaged in law and order duty and also to those engaged in essential services such as milk supply, fuel stations and pharmacies,” district collector Purva Garg said.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Civic body names 77 relief centres in Chennai

With Cyclone Nivar set to make landfall on November 25 evening, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has identified 77 relief centres that would provide food and shelter to affected persons. Check the complete list here: 

Dear Chennaites,

Here is the list of details about Cooking / Relief centres within the limits of Greater Chennai Corporation to accommodate affected people and to provide food during the cyclone. https://t.co/C7dCFO8OFM#GCC #Chennai #ChennaiRains #Nivar #NivarCyclone

— Greater Chennai Corporation (@chennaicorp) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

22 teams pre-deployed, 8 on standby, says NRDF chief

A total of 22 teams have been pre-deployed while eight are on standby in the two affected states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and in the Union Territory of Puducherry, NDRF chief SN Pradhan said.

“Out of these 30 teams, 12 are deployed in Tamil Nadu, seven in Andhra Pradesh and three in Puducherry”, he said. 

An additional 20 teams will be on standby to be airlifted from locations such as Cuttack (Odisha), Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) and Thrissur (Kerala), he said.

The NDRF chief said the teams are equipped with all communication gadgets, pole and tree-cutters and the personnel have been provided with personal protection kits in view of the COVID-19 situation.

“Our teams will continue to be deployed in the affected areas as long as they are required and they will ensure that situations like heavy rainfall, flooding and waterlogging that follow a cyclonic storm are tackled effectively”, he said.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

1200 rescue troopers deployed, 800 on standby, says NDRF chief

Nearly 1,200 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue personnel have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry and 800 others are on standby in view of cyclone Nivar, the “very severe cyclonic storm” which is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.
NDRF chief SN Pradhan also said they are prepared for a “high level of intensity and the worst form” of the cyclonic storm as it surges from the Bay of Bengal towards the southern coastline.

“We are keeping a close watch on the development and we are coordinating with the affected states,” he told a press conference.“It is a rapidly developing situation and it could take the shape of a very severe cyclonic storm that has a speed of about 120-130 km per hour.”

Pradhan said a total of 50 NDRF teams has been earmarked for combating any situation emerging out of the cyclone that is expected to make landfall late Wednesday evening. An NDRF team typically comprises about 40 rescue troopers.

-PTI

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Six special trains cancelled as IMD predicts landfall tomorrow

Six special trains of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways have been cancelled on 25 November as Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts tomorrow, as per IMD forecast.

The special train services that have been cancelled are:

• 02634 Kanyakumari Chennai Egmore Daily Superfast Express Special
• 02633 Chennai Egmore Kanyakumari Daily Superfast Express Special
• 06724 Kollam Chennai Egmore Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special
• 06723 -Chennai EgmoreKollam Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special
• 06102 Kollam Chennai Egmore Express Special via Sengottai, Madurai Junction
• 06101 Chennai Egmore Kollam Express Special via Madurai Junction, Sengottai

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Nivar upgraded to ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, says IMD

According to the weather department, Nivar is likely to be a very severe cyclonic storm and will move west-northwestwards in the next 12 hours and intensify further by November 25 evening with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. Nivar landfall is expected to occur between Mahabalipuram and Puducherry on November 25 evening.

Meanwhile, 6 NDRF teams moved to Cuddalore from Arakkonam and 2 NDRF teams stationed at Chennai.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance: Rahul Gandhi

Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures.

I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need.

Stay indoors, stay safe.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Cyclone is going to be a severe one, says NDRF Director-General

Nivar cyclone is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the south-western Bay of Bengal coastal area of the country during the evening of November 25 as India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday that the deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm.

“I just had a meeting with IMD Chief, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra and he said the rains have already picked up and the landfall of the cyclone will happen sometime early morning tomorrow. Cyclone is moving along the expected lines and it is going to be a severe cyclone. The speed of the cyclone can range from 85-110 kmph and that is what we call a negotiable cyclone,” SN Pradhan, Director General, NDRF added, reports MoneyControl.

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

‘Nivar’ likely to hit Tamil Nadu, Puducherry coasts tomorrow

The deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm, ‘Nivar’ and it is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on November 25, the Met department said on Tuesday.

While intermittent rains lashed several parts of the state and union territory, the department said rainfall is very likely at most places in Tamil Nadu, Puduchery and Karaikal with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on Wednesday.

-PTI

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Visuals from Gandhi Beach in Puducherry as strong winds hit region

#WATCH: Visuals from Gandhi Beach in Puducherry as strong winds hit the region, sea turns rough. #NivarCyclone is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts between Karaikal & Mamallapuram on the evening of 25th November, as per IMD. pic.twitter.com/hFXEBlpOXA

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

PM speaks to CMs of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in view of Cyclone Nivar. “Spoke to Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and will speak to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister. A cyclone is active on our eastern shores which will affect these states. GOI teams are active and at spot. Centre and states are working together, priority is to evaluate and save people.”

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Prohibitory orders clamped in Puducherry to restrict movement of people

The Puducherry district administration on Tuesday imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in this region to prevent movement of people in public places, in the wake of cyclone warning issued by the Indian Meteorological department.

District Collector Purva Garg said the order prevents collection of people or movement of people in public places. All shops and business establishments were directed to be closed from 9 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Thursday.

She said in a release that the IMD had warned of the possible impact of cyclone ‘Nivar’ along the coastline of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Puducherry is expected to be ‘severely impacted’ by the cyclone and there was a grave danger to life, health and safety of the public because of the cyclone predicted.

-PTI

Cyclone Nivar LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu govt declares public holiday tomorrow

The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the state braces for the cross over of Cyclone Nivar late in the evening of 25 November. As per the government order, only essential services will continue to operate tomorrow.