Highlights: Severe cyclone Nivar continues to move north-northwest wards

Cyclone Nivar, which has already intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to cross the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday night or early Thursday. It has intensified into a “very severe cyclonic storm”.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest bulletin said Cylone Nivar began landfall near Puducherry by 10.30 pm.

Nivar moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 6kmph in the past six hours and lay centred over southwest Bay of Bengal about 300km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 310km east southeast of Puducherry and 370km south southeast of Chennai.

Follow latest updates on Cyclone Nivar here:

Cyclone Nivar wekanes into severe cyclonic storm: IMD

Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakens into a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph at 2:30 am of 26th November., said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The cyclones crossed coast near Puducherry during 11:30 pm of 25th November to 2:30 am of 26th November, it also said.It would continue to move north-northwest wards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during next six hours.

Severe weather warning issued for Tamil Nadu

State disaster management authorities issues severe weather warning for Tamil Nadu. It warned that severe thunderstorm accompanied with heavy rain likely to occur over Thiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Kallakurichy and Viluppuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry area within next 3 hours.

Puducherry receives 187 mm rainfall: IMD

As per the Indian Meteorological Department, Cuddalore on Wednesday received 227 mm rainfall between 8:30 am to 10:30 pm. Puducherry received 187 mm rainfall, Karaikal 84 mm, Chennai 89 mm and Nagapatnam received 62 mm rainfall.

Nivar begins landfall , says IMD

The The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest bulletin said Cylone Nivar began landfall near Puducherry by 10.30 pm. It has already intensified into a “very severe cyclonic storm”.

‘Nivar’ now a very severe cyclonic storm, to cross Tamil Nadu- Puducherry coast before dawn on Thursday

Torrential rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as ‘Nivar’ intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is closing in on the coast.

BJP cancels Vetrivel Yatra in Tamil Nadu till Dec 5 due to Cyclone Nivar

In view of Cyclone Nivar, Bharatiya Janata Party has cancelled programmes under Vetrivel Yatra from November 25 till December 5 in Tamil Nadu, said BJP state chief L Murugan, on Wednesday.

Cyclone Nivar to make landfall after 2 am on Thursday, over 1 lakh people evacuated across Tamil Nadu: NDRF chief

Cyclone Nivar, heading towards Tamil Nadu coast, will make landfall after 2 am on Thursday, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) director-general SN Pradhan said on Wednesday. He also said that over one lakh people have been evacuated in Tamil Nadu and over 1,000 people have been evacuated in Puducherry.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges AAP volunteers to be ready to help

Delhi chief minister Arind Kejriwal said all Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers should be readu to help in view of Nivar. Kejriwal said he hopes the central and state governments are equipped to handle the situation.

Hundreds evacuated in low lying areas in Chennai

As the state of Tamil Nadu braces for the impact of Cyclone Nivar, Hundreds of people living in low lying areas in Chennai were evacuated and 150 relief centres were on standby, government officials told news agency Reuters. Areas in and around Chennai witnessed intense spells of rain, accompanied by strong winds on Wednesday.

Chennai airport to remain shut from 7pm tonight to 7am tomorrow

Due to Cyclone Nivar aircraft operations at the Chennai airport will remain suspended from 7 pm tonight till 7 am Thursday. The decision has been taken considering the safety aspect of passengers and the severity of approching Cyclone, the airport authorities said in a tweet.

Pondy govt geared for cyclone ‘Nivar’

As cyclone Nivar approaches, the Puducherry government on Wednesday said the administrative machinery is fully geared up to meet any exigency while chief minister V Narayanasamy visited coastal villages to monitor steps taken to ensure the safety of fishermen community.

Homes evacuated as cyclone approaches

Several thousand people in south-eastern India fled their homes on Wednesday, out of the path of a cyclone due to slam coastal areas after midnight, bringing with it heavy rain.

‘Preparing for the worst’: NDRF

Cyclone Nivar has been categorised as ‘very severe’. “With this perspective, we’re preparing for worst. Our teams have been on the ground for last two days. Till now, 25 teams been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh,” Sn Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu CM visits Chembarambakkam Lake to review situation

Ahead of Cyclone Nivar, Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday visited Chembarambakkam lake to review the ground situation.

Water-logging in the area around Chennai

Severe water-logging was reported in the area around Chennai’s Poonamallee High Road following heavy rains.

Puducherry CM tells people to stay indoors

Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy on Wednesday advised people to stay indoors and asked those living in low-lying areas to go to safer places. “Eighty centres have been identified where food and medicines are being provided. We shall restore electricity within 12 hours,” he added.

Shutters of Chembarambakkam Lake opened to release water into Adyar River

 

#WATCH: Shutters of Chembarambakkam Lake opened to release water into Adyar River, in order to avert flooding. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/gztfVJgORN

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

26 flights from/to Chennai cancelled

Twenty-six flights from and to Chennai cancelled due to Cyclone Nivar, the Chennai Airport said on Wednesday.

Army ready to assist government and civil administration in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

“Army ready to assist government and civil administration in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to face Cyclone Nivar, maintaining communication with officials. Twelve humanitarian assistance and disaster relief teams and two engineer task forces ready for deployment,” the Southern Command, Indian Army stated.

Trains services disrupted

Two trains fully cancelled for Wednesday, three for Thursday and one for November 28. A total of five trains have been cancelled partially, the Southern Railways said on Wednesday.

 

Two trains fully cancelled for today, three for tomorrow and one for 28th November. A total of five trains partially cancelled: Southern Railways #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/227m3hqAaJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Scattered heavy to very heavy rain likely in Tamil Nadu districts

Scattered heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam,Cuddalore, Chennai, Kanchipuram,Chengalpattu, Myladuthirai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurchi, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai Dist of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, the Met department has said. Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu are also likely to witness heavy rain, it added.

Strong winds at Mamallapuram

Mamallapuram experienced strong winds ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Nivar between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during midnight Wednesday or early hours Thursday.

Ensure that there is no loss of life: Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting on Tuesday through video conferencing with the chief secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh and secretaries of different ministries and said that their aim should be to ensure that there is no loss of life, damage is minimum and normalcy is restored in power, telecom and other important sectors in the shortest possible time.

Are you safe from the cyclone Nivar?

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has shared the guidelines, suggesting some dos and don’ts before, during and after Cyclone Nivar, which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday. Check guidelines here

No flooding, water from Chembarambakkam to be released: Officials

There won't be any flooding in Chennai and adjoining districts despite heavy rains ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Nivar on Wednesday, authorities said. Rains have inundated several water bodies in Chennai, however, authorities have ensured the restricted release of surplus water and strengthening of river bunds over the years, they said.

Cyclone Nivar about 320 km east-southeast of Cuddalore

The cyclonic storm Nivar over southwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards with a speed of 05 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 5:30pm on Tuesday over southwest Bay of Bengal about 320 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 350 km southeast of Puducherry and 410 km east southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next six hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 12 hours.

Cyclone Nivar likely to cross between Mamallapuram and Karaikal by midnight

Cyclone Nivar is likely to cross between Mamallapuram and Karaikal during midnight of Wednesday and early hours of November 26, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Officials to remove all the hoardings in Chennai: Chennai Corporation Commissioner Thiru. Prakash has instructed officials to remove all the hoardings/ banners etc in the city before 12pm to avoid any danger, AIADMK said in a tweet.

Heavy rain lashes Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Chennai is witnessing heavy rainfall for the past two days. During to the prevailing weather and Cyclone Nivar set to make landfall tonight, authorities declared a holiday on Wednesday, have banned public gatherings, and closed shops and have mobilised thousands of rescue personnel.