Very severe cyclone Nivar crosses Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam; heavy rain lashes coastal areas

Very Severe Cyclone Nivar hit the coast late last night and its landfall was completed early today morning. It crossed the shores near Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu , on the brink of Puducherry. While crossing, the cyclone triggered fierce winds of speed starting from 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, gushing to 140 km per hour. It also led to torrential rainfall in many coastal areas including in Chennai. The sea has been ferocious during the landfall. Several rivers and rivulets and water bodies are receiving copious waters.
The Met Department has said the cyclone will start weakening in about six hours after the landfall. However, the rain activity under its impact will continue for quite 15 hours. Media correspondent reports that over 1.2 lakh people were shifted from vulnerable areas in coastal districts before the cyclone’s landfall and are sheltered in relief camps. Reports of uprooting of trees thanks to the cyclone keep coming from several places.
The nature’s fury has been more unruly than what was predicted earlier, and the pattern of its movement towards the shores has been varying from time to time, say weather experts. The assessment of the damages due to the cyclone is expected to follow and rescue and relief efforts to be launched.
The NDRF and the Defence Forces are ready in their bases and camps to render assistance to the civil administration in the rescue and relief measures. More than 250 cellphone towers have fallen under the impact of the cyclone. The state discom has said it's kept over 1.5 lakh electric poles at different places to exchange any damage to the distribution network. Several competitive and qualifying examinations and interviews are postponed within the state thanks to the cyclone.
Government and public sector offices and banks are going to be closed today in 16 districts because the forecast suggests heavy rain. Senior officials who monitor the cyclone rescue and relief works have expressed satisfaction in getting cooperation from the general public .
Several parts of Andhra Pradesh are experiencing rain under the influence of NIVAR. Water Resources Minister P. Anil Kumar has reviewed the situation at Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District. All the faculties in YSR Cuddapah District are closed today.
AIR correspondent reports, according to IMD some part of the cyclone is still present over the Sea. Red warning has been given to Kurnool, YSR Cuddapah, Chittoor, Guntur and Prakasam districts as heavy to very heavy Rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in these districts today. Yellow warning has been given to Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavri, Krishna, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Anantapur Districts as heavy rainfall is probably going to occur at isolated places in these districts. Local cautionary signal number 03 has been hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam. Local cautionary signal number TWO (2) has been given Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Gangavaram ports. Fishermen are advised to not venture into the ocean during this point .
The process of NIVAR making landfall on the coasts of Puducherry began around 11 pm last night. Media correspondent reports, consistent with the India Meteorological Department, the centre of the cyclone skilled Puducherry around midnight with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph around 2.30 am.
Due to incessant rains throughout the night water logging complaints were received from low lying areas of Puducherry like, Krishna Nagar, Rainbow Nagar, Sakthi Nagar and Chellan Nagar. 10 instances of trees uprooting are reported thus far from town area and Fire Service dept attended. One wife with a toddler was successfully rescued by Puducherry Police from the Inundated house in Rainbow Nagar 7th Cross after the State Emergency Operation Centre received a distress call.
The IMD said Puducherry received 187 mm rainfall, Karaikal 84 mm,
Cuddalore received 227 mm of rainfall between till yesterday night 10.30 pm. The IMD has said that the very intensity of Cyclone Nivar over Puducherry is weakening gradually. While rainfall will continue, the intensity of the rainfall will decrease.

 (With input from news agency language)

 

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