Chennai:
Nilam, which is now a severe cyclonic storm, is expected to make landfall between Puducherry and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, between 4 and 6 this evening. The MET department has warned of extensive damage to huts, standing crop and power lines.
Here are the 10 latest developments on this story:
The cyclone is now about 180 km away from Chennai, which could be directly hit. Schools and colleges in Chennai have been closed since yesterday and will remain closed tomorrow. Government and most private organisations have closed at 3 pm today to reduce traffic congestion.
It is raining heavily in Chennai and many old, massive trees have fallen in the city blocking roads, which officials are clearing quickly. The sea is rough and choppy and waves at Marina Beach in Chennai are getting bigger and more violent.
It is also raining heavily in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Bangalore. A tweet by inpondy from Puducherry describes, "Sheets of pouring rain and waves matching the height of the pier."
Windspeed at the time of landfall could reach up to 100 km per hour and there could be some disruption in communication lines, say officials. Low-lying areas of Tamil Nadu like Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts could be inundated due to the storm surge, officials have warned.
Top Chennai official D Karthikeyan has said Chennai is fully prepared. The administration has advised people to remain indoors if possible or return home soon. Dr Karthikeyan said the situation as of now did not require evacuation. Chennaiites can call the helpline number 1913 for assistance. The state government has deputed 13 IAS officers to look into preparations.
In Chennai, 282 schools will serve as relief centres. Community kitchens have also been arranged. Cyclone shelters have been organised in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts with essential supplies. The government plans to send generators and sand bags to vulnerable areas in the districts.
The MET department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall of over 25 cm or more in north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours and heavy to very heavy rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours.
The sea will be rough for the next 36 hours off the coast of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh and the MET department has advised total suspension of fishing operations and has asked coastal dwellers to move to safer places.
140 fishermen are reported stranded off the Nellore coast in Andhra Pradesh; they headed out a week ago. They have managed to contact their families and the coast guard is trying to rescue them.
The last cyclone in India struck in the same southeast region in January, claiming 42 lives and leaving a trail of destruction across Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh state saw its worst cyclone in 1977 when more than 10,000 people were killed.
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