Very Severe Cyclone Nivar hit the coast late last night and its landfall was completed early today morning. It crossed the shores near Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu, close to Puducherry. While crossing, the cyclone triggered fierce winds of speed ranging from 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, gushing to 140 km per hour. It also led to torrential rainfall in many coastal areas including in Chennai. The sea has been ferocious during the landfall. Several rivers and rivulets and water bodies are receiving copious waters.
The Met Department has said the cyclone will start weakening in about six hours after the landfall. However, the rain activity under its impact will continue for more than 15 hours. AIR correspondent reports that over 1.2 lakh people were shifted from vulnerable areas in coastal districts ahead of the cyclone’s landfall and are sheltered in relief camps. Reports of uprooting of trees due to the cyclone keep coming from several places.
The nature’s fury has been more unruly than what was predicted earlier, and the pattern of its movement towards the shores has been varying from time to time, say weather experts. The assessment of the damages due to the cyclone is expected to follow and rescue and relief efforts to be launched.
The NDRF and the Defence Forces are ready in their bases and camps to render assistance to the civil administration in the rescue and relief measures. More than 250 cellphone towers have fallen under the impact of the cyclone. The state discom has said it has kept over 1.5 lakh electric poles at different places to replace any damage to the distribution network. Several competitive and qualifying examinations and interviews have been postponed in the state due to the cyclone.
Government and public sector offices and banks will be closed today in 16 districts as the forecast suggests heavy rain. Senior officials who monitor the cyclone rescue and relief works have expressed satisfaction in getting cooperation from the public.
Several parts of Andhra Pradesh are experiencing rain under the influence of NIVAR. Water Resources Minister P. Anil Kumar has reviewed the situation at Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District. All the Schools in YSR Cuddapah District have been closed today. (With inputs from AIR)
