Cyclone Nivar likely to hit Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry coast post-midnight

The ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ named ‘NIvar’ is expected to cross the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry late in the evening on November 25. Authorities are under high alert evacuating hundreds of families to safety.

#Nivarcyclone all set to make landfall near #Puduchery coast. Chennai won't have direct impact w.r. to wind speed like #vardhacylone, however wind speed will gusts upto 80-100 kmph along with heavy rain.

— Chennai Weather-Raja Ramasamy (@chennaiweather) November 25, 2020

Several neighbouring states also have been put on high alert. Trains and flights are cancelled as precautious measures.

More than 30,000 people have been evacuated from Tamil Nadu & 7,000 people have been evacuated from Puducherry. All efforts are being made to minimise damage,” SN Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force reacted.

Tamil Nadu Weatherman Special – Cyclone Nivar will cross between Pondy and Chennai close Mahabs-Kalpakkam belt on 25th night or 26th morning.

Apologies for delay. Such a tough and complex cyclone to interpret. https://t.co/mHu28ca8TK

— Tamil Nadu Weatherman (@praddy06) November 24, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and promised all support from the Centre to deal with the emerging situation.

Tamil Nadu govt issues an order declaring public holiday tomorrow in 16 districts. The districts are Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Kallakurichi, Tirupattur, Vellore and Ranipet.

Nearly 1,200 NDRF rescue troopers deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry, and 800 others are on standby in view of cyclone Nivar.