"Cyclone Nivar may make landfall after 2 am on 26 November. Over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated in Puducherry," said NDRF chief SN Pradhan, says NDRF Director-General SN Pradhan
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami earlier on Tuesday said that relief camps have been set up and other necessary measures taken in view of Cyclone Nivar which is expected to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Mamallapuram and Karaikal on Wednesday late evening.
Palaniswami, meanwhile, declared Thursday a public holiday for 13 districts including Chennai, Vellore, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Chengelpet and Kancheepuram considering the safety of people in view of the cyclone. Wednesday has already been declared a holiday.
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. SN Pradhan 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.
Due to #CycloneNivar aircraft operations at #AAI #Chennaiairport will remain suspended from 1900hrs of 25.11.2020 (today) to 0700hrs of 26.11.2020 (tmrw).
The decision has been taken considering the safety aspect of passengers and the severity of approching Cyclone. @pibchennai— Chennai (MAA) Airport (@aaichnairport) November 25, 2020
In view of Cyclone Nivar, Southern Railways has cancelled six pairs of trains scheduled for 26 November and offered full refund. Chennai airport will also remain shut from 7 pm today to 7 am tomorrow.
IMD Director General of Meteorology Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told ANI that the maximum impact of the cyclone will be felt in Puducherry. "Cyclone Nivar is gradually intensifying," he says. "It could cause structural damage, uprooting of trees, damage to thatched/tin houses and damage to banana and paddy crops."
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said Nivar would cross over between Karaikal and Mamallapuram 'during the midnight of November 25 and early hours of 26 November.' The storm, 250 km off Chennai and 190 km and 180 km from Puducherry and Cuddalore respectively is very likely to move northwestwards and cross coasts as a 'very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.'
Severe Cyclonic Storm “NIVAR” over southwest Bay of Bengal,to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during mid-night of 25th and early hours of 26th November 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm pic.twitter.com/GUdyVMJnno
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020
Under the influence of the cyclone, coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kariakal regions are likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday at most places with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rains at isolated places.
An update From Puducherry.
Maximum mobilisation, Internal and external..Covid now Cyclone...#CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/lREgl1YV7Z— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) November 25, 2020
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Strong winds blow in Mamallapuram ahead of the expected landfall of #CycloneNivar between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during midnight today and early hours of November 26. pic.twitter.com/Wq48STEUCO
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020
South coastal Andhra Pradesh is also likely to witness showers at most places today.
Rainfall is expected to continue in many places in these regions Thursday too with heavy rainfall at some places.
Surplus water was released from Chembarambakkam lake, one of the key drinking water sources to the city, since it almost neared its capacity, the government said.
PWD officials said 1000 cusecs was released from the lake as the level stood at 22 feet of the total 24 feet.
#WATCH Indian Coast Guard vessel deployed off Chennai coast with disaster relief items, in view of #CycloneNivar
(Source: Indian Coast Guard) pic.twitter.com/Xs1rU4ZxA0— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020
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.
Civic body officials were involved in clearing the roads of stagnant water. The Tamil Nadu government appealed to people living in coastal districts to not venture out of their homes and requested those living in low lying areas to reach the cyclone shelters in their respective regions.
A yellow alert has been sounded by the IMD in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagara districts due to the impact of the cyclone Nivar today and tomorrow.
Pondy experiences moderate rain
As cyclone Nivar approaches, the Puducherry government said the administrative machinery is fully geared up to meet any exigency arising out of the situation.
Appealing to the people of Puducherry to stay indoors and move to safer places to brace the impending cyclone today. @BhallaAjay26 @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/nVDraWf1Zp
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) November 25, 2020
The union territory has been experiencing since Tuesday night intermittent moderate rain influenced by the cyclonic storm.
She also asked people to move to safer places wherever the is a need.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC have been clamped in Puducherry region to restrict movement of people.
Here’s a list of emergency numbers for the public during the impact of the Cyclone Nivar. If a person contacts the helpline numbers 100, 101, 112, and 1031, the police control rooms will redirect distress calls to the department concerned.
Puducherry:
For medical support - 104
For ambulance support - 108
Emergency natural disaster relief - 1070 and 1077
For electricity issues - 2339532 or 1800-425-1912
WhatsApp number - 9489080401
Karaikal:
Free helpline numbers - 1070/ 1077
Control Room - 04368 - 228801 227704
WhatsApp number - 99438 06263.
Tamil Nadu Helpline Numbers
People can dial toll free number 1077 for any assistance. Here are the district-wise numbers:
Cuddalore: District Collectorate -04142 220700/233933/221383/221113; Revenue Divisional Office - 04142-231284
Chidambaram: Sub-Collector Office 04144-222256/290037
Vridhachalam: Sub-Collector Office 04143-260248
Tiruvarur: WhatsApp number 93453 36838
Pudukottai: 04322-222207
Chennai Corporation: 04425384530
24X7 control room: 1913
Flood control: 044-24331074
Chennai MetroWater: 04428454040/04445674567
Ambulance service: 108/ 04428888105/ 7338895011
Electricity board
Chennai South-I: 9445850434/04424713988
Chennai South II: 9499050188/ 04423713631
Chengalpet: 9444099437/ 04427522119
Kancheepuram: 9445858740/ 04427282300
Chennai North: 9445850929/ 04428521833
Chennai Central: 9445449217/04428224423
Chennai West: 9445850500/04426151153