Cyclone Nivar live | 1200 rescue troopers deployed, 800 on standby, says NDRF chief

The first cyclonic storm of this year’s northeast monsoon is likely to bring extremely heavy rain to one or two places in the delta region and the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Named ‘Nivar’, as suggested by Iran according to the list prepared by the World Meteorological Organisation’s panel, the weather system is expected to make a landfall between Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district in the Puducherry region.

 

Helpline numbers

Cuddalore: The Cuddalore district administration has established control rooms at the District Collectorate (04142 220700/233933/221383/221113), Cuddalore Revenue Divisional Office (04142-231284), Chidambaram Sub-Collector Office (04144-222256/290037) and Vriddhachalam Sub-Collector Office (04143-260248).

Karaikal:  Free helpline numbers – 1070/ 1077, Control Room – 04368 – 228801 227704, Whatsapp number – 99438 06263.

Perambalur: People in need of help can contact the helpline number 1077.

Tiruvarur: WhatsApp number 93453 36838. Toll free number 1077

Pudukottai: 1077 or 04322-222207

Here are the latest updates:

Andhra Pradesh | 7.15 pm

A.P. CM asks Collectors to be vigilant in view of cyclone Nivar

With a heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm expected in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts under the influence of cyclone Nivar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday asked the Collectors to be on a high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent damage.

The Chief Minister held a video conference with Collectors of SPS Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts and reviewed the situation in view of the cyclone.

Though the cyclone would make its landfall in Tamil Nadu, heavy rains were likely in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts from Wednesday evening, the Chief Minister said

Prime focus should be on preventing loss of lives and damage to properties, Mr. Jagan added.

6.50 pm

1200 rescue troopers deployed, 800 on standby, says NDRF chief

Nearly 1,200 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue personnel have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry and 800 others are on standby in view of cyclone Nivar, the “very severe cyclonic storm” which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening.

NDRF chief S. N. Pradhan also said they are prepared for a “high level of intensity and the worst form” of the cyclonic storm as it surges from the Bay of Bengal towards the southern coastline.

As of now, 12 teams of national disaster response force readied in Tamil Nadu, three in Puducherry, and seven in Andhra Pradesh. Other, 30 teams are on alert across country and ready to be moved on requirement.

The NDRF chief said the teams are equipped with all communication gadgets, pole and tree-cutters and the personnel have been provided with personal protection kits in view of the COVID-19 situation.

 

– With inputs from PTI

6.40 pm

Cyclone Nivar 370 km away from Puducherry: IMD

Cyclone Nivar is 370 km away from Puducherry. It will cross Karaikal and Mahabalipuram by 25th evening as a very severe cyclonic storm, said M. Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said at a press briefing.

Maximum speeds for cyclone are expected to hit 145 kmph. Rainfall has begun and will increase in intensity in north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Tidal waves of 1.0-1.5 are expected to inundate low lying areas of Tamilnadu and Puducherry near place of landfall, said Mr. Mohapatra.

The storm is expected to cause total destruction of thatched house/extensive damage to kutcha houses, disruption of railways, overhead power lines, widespread damage to standing crop, plantation and orchards.

Fishing operations must be entirely stopped, and people must be evacuated from coasts.

Chennai | 6.15 pm

Suburban train services in Chennai to remain suspended tomorrow

The Southern Railway in a release notified that suburban train services in Chennai will remain suspended from 10 a.m. tomorrow until further notice due to cyclone Nivar.
However, the availability of suburban train services till 10 a.m. on Wednesday would depend upon the prevailing weather conditions.

Kerala |5.50 pm

Six special trains of Thiruvananthapuram division cancelled in view of cyclone

Six special trains of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways, have been cancelled on November 25 in view of the IMD forecast of cyclonic storm Nivar making landfall over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Trains which have been cancelled are: Train No.02634 Kanyakumari-Chennai Egmore Daily Superfast Express Special;Train No. 02633 Chennai Egmore-Kanyakumari Daily Superfast Express Special;Train No. 06724 Kollam-Chennai Egmore Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special;Train No. 06723 Chennai EgmoreKollam Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special;Train No.06102 KollamChennai Egmore Express Special via Sengottai, Madurai Jn andTrain No. 06101 Chennai Egmore Kollam Express Special via Madurai Jn, Sengottai.

The railways has said full refund would be granted to passengers of the cancelled trains,a press release said.

For tickets booked at railway counters, the time limit has been relaxed and passengers can avail refund from the railway counter on surrendering of tickets within 15 days of the scheduled departure of the train as against the regular norm of three days, the release added.

-PTI

5.35 pm

Rahul Gandhi appeals to Congress workers to provide cyclone-related assistance

“Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures, ” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

He further asked the Congress workers  to provide assistance to those in need.

 

Tamil Nadu | 4.40 pm

Tiruvannamalai district prepared to handle emergency

The Tiruvannamalai district administration has set up a disaster response control centre and have asked public to call 1077 or 04175 – 232377, 233344/233345 in case of any emergencies that may arise due to heavy rains that is expected in the district due to Nivar Cyclone.

“A total of 700 shelters have been set up in the district. Over 2,000 first responders across the hamlets have also been put on alert. They will inform us if there is any emergency. Besides, the numbers of tree cutters and snake catchers have been collected by each Block Development Officer (BDO),” said Sandeep Nanduri, collector, Tiruvannamalai.

Residents have been asked to leave houses that have weak structures as they may collapse. The public has been asked not to venture into rivers.

The collector added that the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services has also been put on alert. “We also have trained volunteers from a trust ready to help us out,” he added.

N. Kamini, DIG, Vellore Range, said that the State Disaster Response trained police personnel are on alert in the district. “We have the boats and tree cutters ready,” she said.

4.20 pm

Trains cancelled

Owing to onset of Cyclone ‘Nivar’, the following 12 pairs of train services are fully cancelled on 25th November 2020 :

• Train No. 02613 / 02614 Chennai Egmore –Madurai – Chennai Egmore Special Trains of 25th November.
• Train No.02636 / 02635 Madurai-Chennai Egmore – Madurai Special Trains of 25th   November
• Train No.02605 / 02606 Chennai Egmore -Karaikkudi – Chennai Egmore Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02661 / 02662  Chennai Egmore -Sengottai – Chennai Egmore  Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02632 / 02631 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore – Tirunelveli Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02694 / 02693 Tuticorin-Chennai Egmore – Tuticorin Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02633 / 02634 Chennai Egmore -Kanniyakumari – Chennai Egmore Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.06723/06724 Chennai Egmore –Kollam – Chennai Egmore Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02206 / 02205 Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore – Rameswaram Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.06101 / 06102 Chennai Egmore –Kollam – Chennai Egmore Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No.02638 / 02637 Madurai-Chennai Egmore – Madurai  Special Trains of 25th November
• Train No. 02206 Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore Special train scheduled to leave Rameswaram at 8.25 p.m. on Tuesday is partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Mandapam railway stations.  The train would be operated from Mandapam railway station, according to a statement from Madurai Railway Division.

Tamil Nadu | 3.55 pm

All govt. offices to be closed tomorrow

Tamil Nadu government has announced public holiday for tomorrow, in view of cyclone Nivar.

All government offices would remain closed across Tamil Nadu on November 25. However, essential services will continue to function, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has said.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami visited the State Emergency Operation Centre at Ezhilagam complex in Chennai to review the precautionary measures being taken, in view of the cyclone Nivar expected to make landfall in northern Tamil Nadu on November 25.

Andhra Pradesh | 3.55 pm

Control rooms set up in Krishna

In view of the cyclone Nivar warning, the Krishna district administration has alerted all the officials representing low-lying and other vulnerable areas of the district.

District Collector A. Md. Imtiaz said that helplines have been set up for the people to reach officials.

At the Machilipatnam Collector, control room with helpline number 0867-252572 has been set up. Similarly, control rooms were set up at Collector’s Camp Office (0866-2474805) in Vijayawada, Sub-Collector Officer (0866-257454) in Vijayawada, Sub-Collector

Officer (08656-232717) in Nuzvid, RDO office (08672-252486) in Bandar and RDO Office (08674-243697) in Gudiavada were set up.

Chennai | 3.50 pm

Chennai Police Commissioner inspects relief work in water-inundated areas

City Police Commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal on Tuesday inspected rainwater inundated areas in the city and held on-the-spot discussions with officials of other departments to expedite relief work.

On the orders of Mr. Aggarwal, 12 teams of the State Disaster Response Force under sub-inspectors of police, Armed Reserve Police have already been placed on standby to undertake relief and rescue operations during the Northeast monsoon. Special arrangements have been made by the city police to pump out stagnant water on roads so as to avoid accidents and render all assistance to the public who may be marooned by flooding due to Cyclone Nivar.

On Tuesday morning, Mr. Aggarwal visited inundated Montieth Road in Egmore and other places. After inspecting the places, he gave his suggestions to officials doing relief work and asked them to expedite action to pump out stagnant water on the roads.

Chennai | 3.45 pm

Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha of Madras HC wind up court proceedings at 3:40 pm in the interest of court staff who have to reach home braving heavy rains. Cases that couldn’t be heard today will be taken up on Thursday.

Tamil Nadu | 3.05 pm

108 ambulances geared for emergencies, says health minister

The 108 ambulances are in a state of preparedness for emergencies, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar has said. About 2,000 litres of fuel has been procured to run generators in case of power failure at the 108 emergency call response centres.

Additional manpower has been deployed and the vehicles have been positioned near government hospitals and police stations to prevent problems arising out of power failure and disruption of telecommunication facilities, the minister said.

All ambulances have been instructed to fill their fuel tanks to capacity. The state has readied 465 ambulances to serve the coastal districts of Nagapsttinam, Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Chengalpattu.

Arrangements have been made to integrate  fire service and police control rooms for emergencies, he added.

A 24-hour emergency centre has been established to send out the government’s alerts as SMS and through WhatsApp. People may contact 044-28888105 or 7338895011 for assistance in case of emergencies.

Tamil Nadu | 3.00 pm

Indian Navy, Coast Guard gear up for rescue and relief operations

The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard are in a state of readiness to assist during Cyclone Nivar with the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area ready to deploy five flood relief teams and one diving team at Chennai. One Flood relief team each is also on standby at Naval Detachment Nagapattinam, Rameswaram, and Air Station INS Parundu.

One ship, INS Jyoti has been deployed from Visakhapatnam, with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) materials and diving teams to render assistance as required along the Tamil Nadu &Puducherry coast, a defence press release said.

The Indian Coast Guard has kept 15 disaster relief teams ready for assisting the State and district administrations and has deployed four Offshore Patrol Vessels at sea for assisting fishermen and merchant ships.

Two helicopters are on standby for immediate launch post-landfall of the cyclone for rescue and relief efforts. Three Dornier aircraft are also on standby at Vishakapatnam for surveillance, damage assessment and relief.

Tamil Nadu | 2.45 pm

Nilgiris residents urged to stay indoors

The Nilgiris district collector has cautioned residents to stay indoors due to Cyclone Nivar, with the collector stating that heavy rainfall and squally winds are expected across the district from Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, the collector, J. Innocent Divya, said that zonal teams have been formed to inspect all 283 areas which have been deemed to be vulnerable to landslips across the district. She said that as heavy rainfall and winds were expected, directions have been issued to lop branches of trees that are at risk of becoming uprooted and severing road connectivity.

Residents have been urged to download the “NeedD” mobile application from the Google Play Store, where details of the 283 “vulnerable” locations prone to landslips will be displayed, as well as contact details for emergency services and first-responders. Residents can also contact the district disaster-management helpline at 1077, and also notify officials to any disruptions in power supply by contacting them at the number 1912.

Tamil Nadu | 2.35 pm

MAPS activates cyclone protection mechanism

 

The Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), situated at Kalpakkam, has activated its cyclone protection mechanism and the station authorities are on high alert, closely monitoring the weather bulletins, ready to take necessary action as and when required, Station Director M. Srinivas said.

MAPS authorities have also taken precautionary measures including placing sandbags on the coastal side, clearing of storm drains, and have carried out inspection of plant buildings and structures, Mr. Srinivas said in a statement.

Unit no. 2 is operating at its full capacity of 220 MW. All plant systems are operating normally and are expected to successfully withstand the impact of Cyclone Nivar, when it crosses the coast, he said.

Tamil Nadu | 2.20 pm

Nivar to cross T.N. coast as severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday evening

Cyclone Nivar now lies 450 km south west of Chennai rustling up windspeeds of upto 85 km per hour according to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Nivar is expected to grow stronger and become a ‘severe cyclone’ by 1130 pm and make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday evening with windspeeds in the range of 100-110 kmph and gusting to nearly 120 kmph.

The storm is expected to fell standing crop, trees and blow away thatched rooftops according to officials from the Met department and advisories have been in place since Sunday to fishermen to avoid the sea.

The storm will increase rainfall in south peninsular India particularly over Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from Tuesday to Thursday and rains over south Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana are expected to continue until Friday.

Tamil Nadu | 2.00 pm

We are fully geared to tackle the situation, says Ramanathapuram Collector

The Ramanathapuram district administration has taken all precautionary steps to tackle any situation in the event of heavy rainfall,  Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver said  on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Government Hospital in Ramanathapuram, the Collector said that the district has 180 fisher hamlets. Officials from multiple departments have identified 63 hamlets among them, which required support from the administration.

 Relief centres within the town and along the coastal stretches have been identified and kept ready to accommodate needy people from the vulnerable pockets. Along with the revenue and police, the Health, Fire and Rescue Services and Fisheries Department officials were working in a planned manner.

Since the cyclone warning came in advance it had given ample time to get ready to tackle the situation. All the 39 vulnerable spots in the district were being closely monitored round-the-clock. “We have been getting reports from the zonal officers, based on which, actions are taken,” Mr. Ponraj said.

1.00 pm

 

12.40 pm

Prohibitory orders

 

The Puducherry government has declared Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code from 9 p. m on November 24 to 6 a. m on November 26 as a precautionary measure to prevent any loss of life due to Nivar cyclone,  says Minister for Revenue M. O. H. F Shahjahan

12.20 pm

Nivar, 450 km away from Chennai

Cyclone Nivar now lies 450 south west of Chennai rustling up windspeeds of upto 85 km, according to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Nivar is expected to grow stronger and become a ‘severe cyclone’ by 1130 pm and make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday evening with windspeeds in the range of 100-110 kmph and gusting to nearly 120 kmph.

The storm is expected to fell standing crop, trees and blow away thatched rooftops according to officials from the Met department and advisories have been in place since Sunday to fishermen to avoid the sea.

 

Puducherry | 12.10 pm

Warning signs

 

Puducherry has hoisted cyclone warning 7. A signal 7 means the cyclone is likely to cross coast over or near the port. Signals 5, 6 and 7 indicate danger to the port.

A visual storm warning signals are signage permanently hoisted at the mast of ports to alert ships of the weather condition in the ports they approach. While certain countries hoist flags, India uses distinct signs for day and night. Day signals are a combination of cylinders and cones, while night signals are red and white lamps.

Here is why we should worry more for signal 11 and less for 1.

 

Chennai | 12.00 noon

Chennai helpline

 

TN & Pondy | 11.55 am

ICAI reschedules exams

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced the rescheduling of some exams in view of heavy rains due to Cyclone Nivar in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. 

The Chartered Accountants Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Examination (Group I), Paper – 2, Business Laws, Ethics and Communication & Intermediate Examination (Group I), Paper – 2, Corporate and Other Laws and Final (Old) Examination (Group I), Paper – 3 & Final (New) Examination (Group I) Paper – 3, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics which was scheduled to be held on November 24 and 25  in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Karaikudi, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Tiruvallur & Villupuram and Puducherry (U.T) stand rescheduled. 

The rescheduled Intermediate & IPC Examination will be held on December 9 and the Final (Old & New) Examination shall be held on December 11 for the centres given above.

The ICAI has also said that the admit cards which have already been issued will be valid for the rescheduled date.  S.K. Garg, Additional Secretary (Examinations), clarified as a part of the announcement that the schedule of examinations in the notification dated August 21 in respect of all other cities remains unchanged.

11.45 am

PM speaks to TN, Puducherry CMs

As the northern districts of Tamil Nadu and the  neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry are bracing for cyclone Nivar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning spoke to both the Chief Ministers to review preparatory arrangements.

“Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and Puducherry CM Shri @VNarayanasami regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas,” Mr. Modi tweeted.

Tamil Nadu | 11.40 am

Medical counselling postponed

The counselling for admission to MBBS/BDS course, which was scheduled on November 24, has been postponed to November 30.

The rescheduled dates will be intimated in due course, a media statement said.

Health department said it will make necessary arrangements for candidates who have already arrived for counselling.

Chennai | 11.20 am

Chennai Corporation rectifies damage to civic infrastructure in vulnerable areas

With Cyclone Nivar expected to make a landfall in a day, Greater Chennai Corporation has started restoring damages caused by civic projects to prevent accidents during the cyclone.

Corporation Commissioner G.Prakash said the precautionary measures have been taken ahead of the monsoon and damages will be rectified in areas where smart city work is incomplete as early as possible.

Residents have pointed to civic issues in some areas in the city, especially in T. Nagar where the smart city pavement work is on and is half complete, with gaping holes and steel bars protruding all around. The smart city projects in areas such as T.Nagar are expected to be completed this month. The cyclone is expected to cause a delay in the launch of the project by a few weeks.

Tamil Nadu | 11.15 am

TN deputes 10 top police officers to monitor rescue and relief works

Director General of Police J.K.Tripathy has deputed 10 police officers in the rank of Inspector General of Police (IG) / Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) to monitor and supervise rescue and relief works in wake of Cyclone Nivar alert issued by Meteorological Department. 

A.K.Viswanathan, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Operations will supervise cyclone rescue and relief related works and the functioning of flood control room in Marutham. 

Inspector General of Police, Idol Wing CID T.S.Anbu has been deputed to Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts. IG, Railways V.Vanitha has been deputed to Tiruvallur.

The  list of other officers and the assigned districts to them: DIG, Training M.Sathiyapriya – Villupuram, IG, North Zone P.Nagarajan- Cuddalore, IG, Training M.Sarangan- Tiruchi, Perambalur and Ariyalur, DIG, Social Justice and Human Rights, R.Lalitha Lakshmi – Pudukottai, DIG, Headquarters, P.K.Senthilkumari- Thanjavur, IG, Armed Police, R.Tamil Chandran- Tiruvarur and IG, Central Zone, H.M.Jayaram- Nagapattinam.  The officers will do supervisory work in addition to their normal duties, said a release from DGP office.

Tamil Nadu | 10.00 am

Tangedco keeps men, machinery and materials ready for any crisis

 

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has kept men, machinery and materials ready to handle the fallout from Cyclone Nivar in the city.

Local officials have been deputed for cutting down tree branches, which could cause damage to transformers or overhead power lines during downpours.

Electricity Minister P. Thangamani  said as part of precautionary measures, power supply would be disrupted for one hour during the cyclone’s passing.

IMD Update | 9.30 am

Deep Depression moves west-northwestwards

The Deep Depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 05 kmph during the past 6 hours. It intensified into a Cyclonic Strom “NIVAR” and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of 24th November, 2020 over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 83.0°E, about 410 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 450 km southeast of Chennai, according to IMD sources.

It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards for next 12 hours and then northwestwards. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during 25th November 2020 evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Tamil Nadu | 8.20 am

District administrations in alert mode in TN

District administrations in delta region and central region of Tamil Nadu have put in place measures to tackle the impact of Nivar cyclone. The emphasis of the district adminstrations was on preventing loss of human lives, livestock, cattle and property. The Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Revenue and other line departments have been put on high alert.

Low-lying areas prone for inundation have been identified at 212 places in Tiruvarur district and rescue and relief centres have been set up at 249 places to accommodate those who might need food and shelter, according to the Food Minister, R.Kamaraj.

 

Tamil Nadu | 8.00 am

Bus services suspended in seven districts

As the State braces itself for Cyclone Nivar, six NDRF teams have been shifted from Arakkonam to Cuddalore, while two teams will be stationed in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government has suspended bus services in seven districts — Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Chengalpattu — from 1 p.m. on November 24, till further orders. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami chaired a meeting on Monday to take stock of the preventive measures in place and gave a number of directions to officials to ensure that people remain safe.

Mr. Palaniswami also requested the public in these districts to avoid venturing out of their homes unless it is essential to do so.

 

Andhra Pradesh | 7.45 am

A.P Health Dept. braces for cyclone Nivar

With the severe cyclonic storm Nivar likely to cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Rayalaseema and South Coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has sounded alert and asked the officials to brace up for any emergency.

Health and Family Welfare, Commissioner Katamneni Bhaskar asked the District Medical and Health Officers to form teams which will be deployed at relief centres and keep drugs, disinfectants ready in sufficient quantities.

Puducherry | 7.20 am

Round-the-clock alert in Puducherry

 

All government departments will be on round-the-clock alert to prevent loss of life and minimise damage to property and disruption of normal life in view of Cyclone Nirav predicted to make a landfall in the region on November 25, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said on Monday.

With heavy rainfall forecast, the administration would use motor pumps to drain away water from low-lying areas. In places beset by excessive waterlogging, the residents would be relocated to relief camps set up in marriage halls, community halls and schools and their essential needs taken care of.

Industries, traders and schools have been directed to prevent workers/students from attending until the storm passes.

 

Chennai | 7.00 am

Chennai Corporation readies 75 relief centres

The Greater Chennai Corporation has started work on relief centres at 75 locations across the city ahead of the cyclonic storm.

According to official sources, there are  about 19 areas vulnerable to flooding. Civic officials have been asked to advise residents in such areas to reach relief centres 24 hours ahead of the cyclonic storm.