Cyclone Nivar: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are on high alert

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are on high alert as Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall in the region on the afternoon of November 25.

The depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday and cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm a day after.

Highlights:

. Cyclone Nivar is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu — a label that urges the authorities and residents to jump into action — for Tuesday and Wednesday.

. Under its influence, widespread rainfall/thunderstorm are "very likely" over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from November 24 to 26, the IMD warned.

. Owing to the onset of Cyclone Nivar six trains have been fully cancelled and nine trains have been partially cancelled in Tamil Nadu. The South Central Railway said the Bhubaneswar-Puducherry-Bhubaneswar trains have been partially cancelled between Chennai Egmore and Puducherry on November 24 and 25. The Puducherry-Howrah express has been cancelled partially between Puducherry and Villupuram on November 25.

. Fishermen have



been directed to not venture out to sea for the next few days.

. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has reviewed the status of Cyclone Nivar to ensure preparedness of all authorities.

. On Monday, the Tamil Nadu government reviewed the situation, asking the respective district administrations to be on guard. Chief Minister K Palaniswami asked his cabinet colleagues and officials to remain fully alert and take appropriate precautionary measures to minimise the damage likely to be caused by Cyclone Nivar.

. Meanwhile, frontline departments in Andhra Pradesh are getting into a high alert mode as widespread rains are forecast in many districts in coastal and Rayalaseema regions of the state in the next three days under the influence of cyclonic storm Nivar.

. Cyclone Nivar may cause heavy to extremely heavy rains at isolated places in Rayalaseema and south coastal AP districts on November 25 and 26. Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts are expected to receive light to moderate rains on these days. Winds with speed ranging from 45 to 65 kmph were expected along the Bay of Bengal coast.

. 12 teams of the NDRF have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh in view of Cyclone Nivar while 18 teams are on standby in the region.