Cyclone Vardah: 4 killed in Tamil Nadu, over 10,000 rescued from coastal areas ( Livemint )

Cyclone Vardah: 4 killed in Tamil Nadu, over 10,000 rescued from coastal areas Here are the latest updates related to Cyclone Vardah as it hits Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Subscribe to our newsletter. Livemint Fishermen in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh have been warned not to head out, with the seas expected to be rough for the next two days due to Cyclone Vardah. Photo: PTI New Delhi: Cyclone Vardah is showing signs of weakening and is expected to turn into ‘cyclonic storm’ in next 3-4 hours, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). Earlier, the very severe cyclone made landfall near Chennai on Monday afternoon, bringing heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds to Tamil Nadu’s capital and other coastal districts. Hundreds of trees have been uprooted in Chennai and in the region with four reported deaths so far. The rains have also affected transportation systems and power supply. Andhra Pradesh too has reported heavy rainfall in coastal districts., though the destruction has not been as much as in the neighbouring state. Here are the latest updates: Flight services remained suspended at Chennai airport after Airports Authority of India (AAI) extended the NOTAM (notice to airmen) till 11pm on Monday. • A total of 10,432 people rescued by 19 NDRF teams from different parts of Tamil Nadu. As many as 296 relief camps set up for them, 97 of which have become operational. • Cyclone Vardah, the most intense to have hit the Tamil Nadu capital in two decades, claimed four lives. A home ministry spokesperson said in Delhi that four people were killed in the storm in Tamil Nadu, while six teams of NDRF and four of SDRF were engaged in rescue efforts. • Two fishermen go missing off Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Coast Guard says it has deployed ship for search and rescue operations • Heavy rains in Chittoor and SPS Nellore districts in Andhra Pradesh affected normal life under the influence of Cyclone Vardah. Official machinery continues to be on alert with forecast of heavy downpour in next 24 hours in at least four districts. • IMD: “Cyclone Vardah shows signs of weakening; to turn into ‘cyclonic storm’ in next 3-4 hours,” reports PTI. • Indian Army troops moving out for rescue and relief in Chennai, tweets NDMA. • 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. “The cyclone, which hit Tamil Nadu today, will reach Karnataka by tomorrow,” said M L Sahu, Director of IMD observatory in Goa, reports PTI. • NDMA: “Entire landfall process to get over in two hours. But conditions to remain rough after that. The expected wind speed at the time of landfall–100-110 kmph gusting upto 120kmph.” • Congress President Sonia Gandhi: “As cyclone Vardah crosses the coast and hits Chennai, we watch anxiously and pray as the city braces itself to withstand the force of nature’s fury. We trust the administration will take all precautions for the safety of the citizens during this time of hardship. I am sure the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu will show the nation the same courage with which they faced a similar calamity last year. Entire Congress Party stands firmly by them,” reports PTI. • NDMA: “Complete landfall to take another couple of hours.Conditions to remain severe between Chennai and Nellore” tweets K.G. Ramesh, director general, IMD. • Chennai Corporation Helpline numbers for Cyclone Vardah: 25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570, NDMA tweets. • According to M. Mohapatra, Additional Director General (Services) of IMD, 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. Landfall process has commenced at 2pm. The cyclone will cross between 2-5pm,” Mohapatra said. • Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure. • The impact on transportation services is severe with flight operations at the Chennai airport have been suspended till 9pm. • Long distance buses have been stalled and traffic came to a grinding halt in most areas with uprooted trees and electric poles blocking the roads. All suburban train services have also been suspended. • Southern Railway announced cancellation of all 17 trains originating from Chennai central, as well as Egmore. • State Principal Secreta

Secretary (Revenue Administration) K Satyagopal said “human loss is two”, without elaborating. In a statement, he said 260 trees and 37 electric poles had fallen and 190 tress removed. As many 224 roads were blocked and 24 huts damaged. • Fishermen in the two coastal states have been warned not to head out, with the seas expected to be rough for the next two days. • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has put on standby 15 teams that will spring into action, should the cyclone cause havoc, upon landfall. “We have pre-positioned 15 teams across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There are seven teams in Andhra Pradesh—one is Nellore, two in Sullurpeta, one in Tada, two in Chittoor, and one in Ongole. Eight teams have been put in place in Tamil Nadu —three teams have been placed in Chennai, two in Kanchipuram, two in Tiruvallur and one team is on standby in Puducherry. We also have one team that is on standby in Arakkonam,” said R.K. Pachnanda, director general of NDRF. • The government has also issued a Do’s and don’ts for residents in Cyclone Vardah affected areas