Cyclone Vardah Live: Two killed in Tamil Nadu as storm makes landfall in Chennai

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Dec 12, 2016 : Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh evacuated thousands of people from coastal areas and shut down educational institutions on Monday as a “very severe” cyclonic storm packing windspeed up to 120km per hour headed for landfall close to Chennai.

 

 

Ahead of Cyclone Vardah’s landfall, heavy rains pounded the entire north coastal Tamil Nadu and Nellore in southern Andhra Pradesh while waves as high as 20 feet lashed the coast.

Met officials said Cyclone Vardah – which means red rose -- has gained in speed and intensity on its journey across the Bay of Bengal, belying predictions it would weaken considerably.

 Cyclone Vardah set for landfall; heavy rain pounds Tamil Nadu, Andhra coast

All local bodies have also been put on alert and asked to make arrangements for supply of chlorinated drinking water including filling up overhead tanks. More than 9,000 people have been evacuated in several districts since on Sunday night.

Follow the live updates:

3.00 pm: Tamil Nadu government says two people have died due to Cyclone Vardah. State principal secretary (revenue department) K Satyagopal said “human loss is two”, without elaborating, reports PTI.

2.55 pm: “The landfall process of cyclone Vardah has begun,” PTI quotes IMD. M Mohapatra, additional director general (services) said the “eye” of the cyclone is 20 kms off Chennai.

“The wind speed near Chennai 90-100 kmph. Heavy rains and storm surge is expected. The cyclone will cross between 2-5 PM,” Mohapatra said.

Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure. About 8,000 people from low lying areas in north Chennai, Pazhaverkadu in Tiruvallur district and villages off Mamallapuram, in Kanchipuram district were safely evacuated to 95 relief shelters, PTI quotes officials.

2.30 pm: The cyclone’s distance from Chennai is now 30 kms.

Courtesy: HT