Tamil Nadu: Cyclone Vardah hits Tamil Nadu, 4 killed

The high velocity of wind uprooted many trees and structures, reports said.

More than 16,000 people in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated as the cyclone is likely to have a major impact respectively in the northern and southern parts of the states.

The met office predicted isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is very likely during next 24 hrs.

"Gale winds speed reaching 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph very likely to prevail during next 12 hours along & off Chennai & Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore & adjoining areas of Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely to prevail over remaining districts of north Tamilnadu & Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the same period," the Met Department said in a statement.

Directing fishermen, the department said :"Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along & off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during next 24 hrs. Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places."

In view of development of cyclone Vardah over Bay of Bengal, 19 flood rescue teams of NDRF have been prepositioned in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu as a proactive deployment.

Eight flood rescue teams comprising of more than 250 rescuers, equipped with 23 Inflatable Rubber Boats (IRBs) and communication equipment have been pre-positioned at coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.

One team each has been pre-positioned at Ongole, district- Prakasam and Vishakhapatnam, 2 teams at Sri Kala Hasti, district Chittoor. 4 teams have been pre-positioned at Sullurupeta, Nellore and Tada block areas of Nellore district.

"Eleven flood rescue teams comprising of 428 rescuers, equipped with 48 Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRBs) and communication equipment have been pre-positioned in low lying parts of Tamil Nadu. 01 team each has been pre-positioned at Mabalipuram and Tambram (district- Kanchipuram), 02 teams are at Chennai, 03 teams are at Tiruvallur. 03 teams are en-route to NDRF base Arrakonam from NDRF base Pune. In addition, 01 team is at Puducherry district," read a government statement.

Some additional teams are kept on standby and shall be mobilized as per demand.

DG, NDRF is closely monitoring the situation round the clock. NDRF Control Room in Delhi is in touch with IMD and local state administration.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he has assured to help both the governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

"Spoke to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh CMs who have apprised me of the situation prevailing in the state post the landfall of Cyclone Vardah," Singh tweeted.

"The MHA is closely monitoring the situation. The Centre is ready to provide all possible help to the states affected by Vardah," he said.

Almost 50 flights were delayed or diverted to and from Chennai this morning and suburban train services have been suspended.
All schools and colleges are closed in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal areas of Villupuram.

The Tamil Nadu Government has also asked private offices to allow their staff to take a day off or work from home.