Cyclone Nivar makes landfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry: Severe cyclonic storm weakens into cyclonic storm
The IMD stated that the cyclone will continue to move north-northwestwards and further weaken into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours.
Cyclone Nivar crossed the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as a very severe cyclonic storm with a speed of 120-135 kmph and weakened into a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed dropping to 100-110 kmph, confirmed the Indian Meteorological Department.
The IMD stated that the cyclone will continue to move north-northwestwards and further weaken into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours. It also added saying that the winds are higher in the northeast sector therefore the northeast sector from Puducherry has still higher winds of 100-110 kmph.
VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM ‘NIVAR’ WEAKENED AND LAY AS A SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM WITH WIND SPEED OF 100-110 KMPH GUSTING TO 120 KMPH AT 0230 IST OF 26 NOV..
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020
The severe cyclonic storm is expected to gradually decrease to 65-75 kmph during next 3 hours with further northwest ward movement over land in districts of South-interior Karnataka. The fishermen in South-coastal Andhra Pradesh & North-coastal Tamil Nadu have been advised not to go to the sea.
Severe cyclonic storm Nivar expected to move Northwest wards & weaken into cyclonic storm in districts of South-interior Karnataka. Fishermen advised not to go to sea in South-coastal Andhra Pradesh & North-coastal Tamil Nadu. Chennai to have moderate rainfall till tomorrow: IMD pic.twitter.com/mWuHIm10cD
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
The Union Home Minister assured that the centre is closely monitoring situation in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. He had also spoken to Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry CM V.Narayanasamy and assured all possible help from the centre. Shah further added that the National Disaster Response Force teams are on ground to help people in need.
We're closely monitoring situation in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry in the wake of #CycloneNivar. Have spoken to Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami & Puducherry CM V.Narayanasamy and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams are on ground to help people in need: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/Tyj3lpB5ev
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy visited different areas to assess damage by Cyclone Nivar. He stated that heavy rainfall of 23 cm in 24 hours was observed and no report of loss of life. He said, "We've never seen such torrential rains here" and added that electricity will be restored in the city in 12 hours.
Puducherry: CM V Narayanasamy visits different areas to assess damage by #CycloneNivar
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
"Heavy rainfall of 23 cm in 24 hours was observed. No report of loss of life. We've never seen such torrential rains here. Electricity in the city will be restored in 12 hours," he says pic.twitter.com/JCWDno6LkC
Cyclone Nivar: All you need to Know!
Impact
Areas near landfall point witnessed spell of extremely strong winds, many trees got uprooted and major streets in Puducherry and Chennai were flooded due to torrential rain. Waterlogging were reported in parts of Chennai after the overnight rain.
#WATCH Chennai witnessing spell of strong winds after #Cyclone Nivar made landfall near Puducherry late last night#TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/jZZB3FCJUX
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
Tamil Nadu: Waterlogging in parts of Chennai city following overnight rainfall due to #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/JivSEFVS3D
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
So far no casualties have been confirmed officially but various media reports suggest that three people have died and over 2 lakh people were evacuated to safety.
Landfall
The Cyclone Nivar intensified into severe cyclonic storm and made landfall between Mahabalipuram and Karaikal in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry late yesterday evening. The governments of both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had announced restrictions in view of the cyclone. Rail and bus services were either curtailed or suspended in the vulnerable districts.
VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM NIVAR
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 26, 2020
REALISED RAINFALL (MM) DURING 08:30 HOURS IST OF 25TH NOV TO
0230 HOURS IST OF 26TH NOVEMBER 2020:
NAGAPATNAM-63, KARAIKAL-86, CUDDALORE-246,
PUDUCHERRY-237 AND CHENNAI-89 pic.twitter.com/Pzo9SfOWGn
The National Disaster Response Force had also issued precautions while its personnel were on alert in coastal areas. The NDRF DG informed that 12 teams had been positioned in Tamil Nadu, 2 teams in Puducherry and 1 team in Karaikal.
Besides this, 3 teams were positioned in Nellore, 3 in Vizag and 1 team in Chittoor. Overall, 22 NDRF teams were available on the ground and another eight on standby. Total 30 teams were committed to provide support in the vulnerable areas.
Puducherry: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel clear uprooted trees in Kamaraj Nagar area#CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/OcNNmPCL9l
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020
How did Tamil Nadu prepare for Cyclone Nivar?
•Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami had declared a statewide public holiday on November 25, the day Cyclone Nivar was expected to cross Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami declares statewide public holiday tomorrow as #CycloneNivar is expected to cross Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during late evening pic.twitter.com/EAmQcX49Rm
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020
•All Inter and intra-district bus services and trains services were suspended in seven districts of Tamil Nadu from today.
•The people living in low-lying vulnerable areas were asked to shift to cyclone shelters. Besides this, zonal teams were positioned in every block and panchayat, to be mobilised for clearing of roads, setting up of electricity poles, informed Disaster Monitoring Zonal Officer, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.
People living in low lying vulnerable areas asked to shift to cyclone shelters. In every block/panchayat, zonal teams positioned which can be mobilised clearing of roads, setting up of electricity poles etc: Disaster Monitoring Zonal Officer, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu#CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/OgbB1iuGVv
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020
•Along with this, 5 flood relief teams and a diving team were made ready for deployment at Chennai and one flood relief team each was on standby at Naval Detachment Nagapattinam, Rameswaram and air station INS Parundu.
•INS Jyoti was also deployed with HADR brick and diving teams along Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast, informed the Indian Navy.
5 flood relief teams & a diving team ready for deployment at Chennai. One flood relief team each on standby at Naval Detachment Nagapattinam, Rameswaram & air station INS Parundu. INS Jyoti deployed with HADR brick& diving teams along Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coast: Indian Navy https://t.co/OpxK7YY1As
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020
How is Puducherry bracing for Cyclone Nivar?
•The Puducherry District Magistrate had ordered for imposition of Section 144 from 9 pm on November 24th till 6 am on November 26th in the entire Puducherry region in the wake of the cyclone.
•All shops and establishments will remain closed between this time. Only milk stations, petrol stations and pharmacies will be allowed to operate.
Puducherry: District Magistrate orders imposition of Section 144 from 9 pm tonight till 6 am, 26th Nov in entire Puducherry region, in wake of #CycloneNivar.
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020
All shops & establishments will remain closed. Only milk stations, petrol stations & pharmacies are allowed to operate. pic.twitter.com/LdoR4Mxstj
Among other states, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a virtual meeting on November 24th with the Collectors of Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapuramu, Nellore and Prakasam districts over Cyclone Nivar.
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy today held a virtual meeting with the Collectors of Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapuramu, Nellore and Prakasam districts over #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/ZRw1wrWIB3
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020
Following are do’s and don’ts to Stay Safe from cyclone
#Cyclone | ACT NOW!
— NDMA India | राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण 🇮🇳 (@ndmaindia) November 23, 2020
Follow these do’s and don’ts to #StaySafe from cyclone! #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/6yHaxWliMm
Background
A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal. The alert for the same was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A similar deep depression weakened into a depression over Gulf of Aden and Somalia.