Cyclone Nivar: Prime Minister Modi said that he had spoken with the senior ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
New Delhi:
Cyclone Nivar could cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the southwestern coastal area of the Bay of Bengal tomorrow night, the meteorological office forecast, warning that the deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet, assured Tamil Nadu, Puducherry of all possible support from the center. The cyclone is likely to arrive with wind gusts of up to 120 km per hour.
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Prime Minister Modi said he had spoken with Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, E Palaniswamy, and with Puducherry’s chief minister, V Narayanasami. “I secured all possible support from the Center. I pray for the safety and well-being of those who live in the affected areas,” he tweeted.
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During the night it rained heavily in several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Puducherry. The meteorological office says the storm is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram at 5pm tomorrow.
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Nivar, located 450 km southeast of Chennai, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone within the next 24 hours.
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“The deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm – NIVAR over the southwest of the Bay of Bengal – (Cyclone Warning for the Coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry – Yellow Message),” tweeted the Indian Meteorological Department.
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Officials are preparing for potential damage, such as uprooted trees, power outages, broken communication lines and blown roofs. Tsunamis around one meter high are likely to flood the low-lying areas.
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Six teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already arrived in the Cuddalore district. There are also two teams stationed in Chennai.
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Finance Minister RB Udhayakumar, who heads the state’s Department of Disaster Management, told NDTV: “We are expecting very heavy rains. Our monitoring officers are alert on the ground. They are ensuring clear channels for smooth water flow and safe storage in large lakes. “
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Buses will be suspended starting at 1 pm in seven districts, including Pudukottal, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Thiruvarur.
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The Chief Minister EPS has appealed to people to stay indoors and travel by personal transport only if unavoidable. The state disaster management department has asked people to stock up on food, clean water and batteries.
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Cuddalore collector Chandra Sekhar Sakhamuri told NDTV: “We will comply with COVID regulations. We have also moved around 400 large boats and 1500 catamarans to safe locations. Around 500 people from low-lying areas have already been transferred to aid centers.”
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