Nivar cyclone closing in on Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

CHENNAI: Cyclone Nivar, which emerged over southwest Bay of Bengal, now lays about 380 kilometres (km) east-southeast of Puducherry and 430 km south-southeast of Chennai. The storm is predicted to intensify and become a ‘very severe cyclone’ by 11:30 am with a wind speed of 120-130 km per hour. Nivar is expected to damage standing crops, trees and thatched rooftops. 

Advisories from the meteorological department to fisherman to avoid going out in the sea have been imposed since Sunday, November 22. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall in the peninsular India, particularly Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, etc. The storm has been classified ‘very severe’, which is just one step down from strongest possible classification of ‘extremely severe’. 

Edapaddi K Palaniswami, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala, has declared a public holiday on Wednesday, November 25 due to the expectation of heavy rainfall and gusty winds. A total of 4,133 places have been identified as vulnerable spots and special attention is provided to them, he added. Almost 43,400 persons, including over 14,200 women, have been trained as first responders. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have prepared 22 teams to handle the situation in Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.