Chennai:
Cyclonic storm Vardah, which was earlier expected to weaken considerably, may not see its intensity going down when it makes landfall near Chennai today. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm. The earlier forecast made by the IMD was that it would weaken into a cyclonic storm, thereby reducing its intensity considerably.
Cyclone Vardah has weakened into a well marked low pressure, a day after it wreaked havoc in the city and neighbouring districts, weather officials said today.
Cyclone Vardah has weakened into a well marked low pressure, a day after it wreaked havoc in the city and neighbouring districts, weather officials said today.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister seeks PM Modi's help Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam writes to PM Narendra Modi, seeking immediate release of Rs 1,000 crore from National Disaster Response Fund as cyclone relief.
Tamil Nadu opposition leader assesses damage on motorbikeDMK Treasurer and Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader
MK Stalin today rode pillion on a two wheeler to visit cyclone Vardah-affected areas in his Kolathur Assembly constituency.
Two persons were killed overnight in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh due to cyclone Vardah as heavy rains lashed the region, officials said.
Flight operations resume at Chennai airport
All schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur will remain closed tomorrow.
JUST IN: 4 people have died due to Cyclone Vardah, says National Disaster Management Authority.
LATEST UPDATE:
2 fishermen go missing off Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Coast Guard says it has deployed ship for search and rescue operations.
Services at Chennai Airport have been suspended till 9 pm following Cyclone Vardah, news agency ANI.
Cyclone Vardah shows signs of weakening; to turn into 'cyclonic storm' in next 3-4 days: IMD
Cyclone Vardah: Do's and Don'ts
Facebook has activated safety check for Cyclone Vardah.
Cyclone 'Vardah' is set to pass through south Goa on Wednesday, which will lead to rise in temperature and light rains in the state from tomorrow onwards, an official said today.
Operations at Chennai Airport further suspended till 8 pm.
The temple town of Tirupati in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh received heavy rains since morning.
Complete landfall to take another couple of hours. Conditions to remain severe between Chennai and Nellore: K.G.Ramesh, DG India Meteorological Department
Two people have died after Cyclone Vardah hit coast making landfall close to Tamil Nadu capital Chennai
Heavy rains and high speed winds expected to continue for next 8-12 hrs
Operations at Chennai airport suspended till 6:00 PM
Crude oil tanker overturns due to strong winds & storm in Sullurpeta in Andhra Pradesh
Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh were today evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.
Government Taking Precautions For Kalpakkam Nuclear PlantGovernment has taken all precautions for the safety of Kalpakkam nuclear power plant as Tamil Nadu faces a severe cyclonic storm Vardah today.
"All precautions are taken at nuclear plant Kalpakkam to face Vardah. So far all is well and plant operation is normal. The plant is in touch with the India Meteorological Department," the National Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.
Kalpakkam is in Kancheepuram, which along with Chennai, Tiruvallur and Villupuram in northern Tamil Nadu, has been pounded by heavy rainfall and high velocity winds.
Cyclone Vardah Makes Landfall Near Chennai
Cyclone Vardah set for landfall near Chennai
All operations at the Chennai airport suspended till 3 PM today, says news agency ANI
Cyclone Vardah is nearing the Tamil Nadu coast and landfall is expected any time now in Pulicat, about 60 km from capital Chennai.
Cyclone Vardah To Hit Tamil Nadu Coast SoonCyclone Vardah is likely to make landfall at 1.30 pm today in Tamil Nadu, a statement from the Navy said. Several flights arriving at Chennai and flying out of the city have been cancelled or delayed this morning amid heavy rain and strong winds along the state's coast. Both Tamil Nadu and neighbour Andhra Pradesh are on high alert and teams from the Navy and the National Disaster Response Force are on standby. Cyclone Vardah is likely to hit land near Pulicat, around 60 km from Chennai, with wind speeds of around 80 to 100 km an hour. The storm, which was earlier expected to weaken, may not lose intensity after all, the Met office has said.
Tamil Nadu Government has requested people to stay indoors
Amma canteen to provide free food to all: AIADMK
Amma canteen is open throughout the city, food will be provided free of cost to all, says AIADMK
The Puducherry government has taken precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore. Police personnel have been deployed along the two-and-a-half kilometre stretch on beach road. Barricades have also been put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges in Puducherry are closed today. Control rooms have also been opened with toll free numbers - 1070 and 1077.
The Southern Railway has announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route. Suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line have also been suspended till further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city have also been diverted.
Rail and flight services in Chennai have been affected by heavy rain and strong winds that have been lashing the city and other coastal areas of Tamil Nadu due to cyclone Vardah. Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials have confirmed. Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway despite heavy rains. An emergency management team is on standby to meet any eventuality.
Cyclone Vardah Update:
Cyclone Vardah's outer periphery touches Chennai coast, 100 km wind speed and heavy rain expected for 2 hours: Met department
Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is very likely during the next 36 hours. The rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on December 12, the weather department said.
Cyclonic storm Vardah, which was earlier expected to weaken considerably, may not see its intensity going down when it makes landfall near Chennai today. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm. The earlier forecast made by the IMD was that it would weaken into a cyclonic storm, thereby reducing its intensity considerably. At 9:30 AM, the cyclone was lay centered around 105 kms east-northeast of Chennai. By the time it makes a landfall, its wind speed is expected to be 100-110 kmph with winds gusting up to 120 kmph. The wind speed during a very severe cyclonic storm is 120 to 130 kmph. In a severe cyclonic storm the wind speed is somewhere between 110 to 80 kmph. One of the major reasons for destruction in any cyclone is the wind velocity, apart from heavy to heavy rains and flooding.
A high alert has already been sounded in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and teams of NDRF are gearing up as cyclone Vardah is expected to hit southern coast. The alert has been sounded in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu along the coast of Bay of Bengal, official sources said.
Heavy rains have lashed Chennai, Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram districts since early morning even as squally winds were witnessed in these districts. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure. The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer zones even as various arms of the government were prepared to meet any eventuality.
Heavy rains coupled with squally winds have lashed the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, as very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon. The cyclonivc storm is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, the weather office said.
NASA satellite image shows Tropical Cyclone Vardah approaching India
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh on high alert as Cyclone Vardah expected to make landfall this afternoon. Over 15 NDRF teams positioned.
The wind speed during a very severe cyclonic storm is 120 to 130 kmph. In a severe cyclonic storm the wind speed is somewhere between 110 to 80 kmph.
Cyclone 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon, near Chennai
Cyclonic storm Vardah, which was earlier expected to weaken considerably, may not see its intensity going down when it makes landfall near Chennai today. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm.
The earlier forecast made by the IMD was that it would
weaken into a cyclonic storm, thereby reducing its intensity considerably. At 9:30 AM, the cyclone was lay centered around 105 kms east-northeast of Chennai. By the time it makes a landfall, its wind speed is expected to be 100-110 kmph with winds gusting up to 120 kmph.