Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Sec 144 revoked in Puducherry; three dead in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Live tracker: IMD issued an amber-coloured warning (second most dangerous in the list) for coastal Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Stay tuned for Cyclone Nivar latest updates

Cyclone Nivar update: Cyclone Nivar made a late-night landfall near Puducherry. The tropical storm has further weakened into a deep depression, centered about 50 km west-southwest of Tirupati at 1430 hrs, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. A prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC, that was in force in Puducherry since November 24, was lifted today.

The IMD has also issued an amber-coloured warning (second most dangerous in the list) for coastal Andhra Pradesh on Friday.

Cyclone Nivar, which hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' in the early hours of Thursday, brought heavy rains over the state. At least three people were killed in Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas marooned due to water-logging following heavy rains.

The Chennai airport has suspended operations in view of the Cyclone Nivar. The airport authority announced on Wednesday evening that aircraft operations at the Chennai airport would remain suspended from today evening (7 pm) to tomorrow morning (7 am).

Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have taken a slew of measures to handle the situation arising out of the cyclonic storm, which has led to heavy rainfall in several regions.

The Railways has cancelled over a dozen special trains on November 25 and 26 scheduled to either originate from and terminate in the southern states of the country in view of the impending cyclone Nivar, and offered full refund.
 

Stay tuned for Cyclone Nivar LIVE updates

12:43 AM

Three killed, over 1,000 trees uprooted in TN as Nivar crosses coast near Pondy

At least three people were killed in Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas marooned due to water-logging following heavy rains on Thursday as severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry.
 

Subsequently, Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm and further into a deep depression, centered about 50 km west-southwest of Tirupati at 1430 hrs, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said.
 

According to IMD, it is to weaken into a depression during the next six hours.
 

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh also received good rains under the influence of the weather system.
 

In Tamil Nadu, about 2.30 lakh people have been accommodated in relief camps following the cyclone, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said.
 

Earlier, heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Nivar made landfall in the early hours,leading to inundation and uprooting of trees.
 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

11:40 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: We're assessing damage, funds will be released accordingly, says TN CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami visited several cyclone-hit areas of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu and assured relief fund after assessing total damage caused by cyclone Nivar. "Around 52,000 people stayed in camps that were set up in Cuddalore. A total of 77 electric poles were uprooted that have been cleared, 1500 hectares of farmland have been damaged in the district. We're assessing the damage. Funds will be released accordingly," Chief Minister said. Palaniswami acknowledged Home Miniter Amit Shah's concern and assurance for every possible assistance to the state during this critical time.

"Hon'ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji, today enquired on the Nivar rescue and relief operations in Tamil Nadu and has assured all possible assistance and help from the centre," he tweeted. According to NDRF officials, twenty-five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh in view of Cyclone Nivar. The CM visited Reddysawadi area in Cuddalore where banana crops were severely damaged.

10:45 PM

Moderate to light rain across Karnataka: KSNDMC

Widespread light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains likely over Kolar & Chikkaballapura dist & scattered light to moderate rains likely over Mysuru & Chamarajanagara dist & isolated very light to light rains likely over remaining districts of the region: KSNDMC

10:31 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: 80% electricity to be restored today, says Tamil Nadu minister

80% of electricity connection will be restored by today. Electricity Board has incurred a loss of Rs 1.5 crore due to Nivar Cylone: P Thangamani, Tamil Nadu Minister for Electricity

9:49 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Met dept puts Bengaluru on Yellow alert for next 2 days

The India Meteorological Department on Thursday issued a yellow alert in Bengaluru and surrounding districts on November 26 and 27. Cyclone Nivar - the second cyclone to form over the Bay of Bengal this year after Super Cyclone Amphan in May - made landfall between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast on Wednesday midnight.

Speaking to reporters, IMD-Karnataka director, C. S. Patil said that districts such as Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagar and Mandya are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall due to the Nivar effect. He added that severe cyclone-storm Nivar that has crossed Puducherry has transformed into cyclone-storm and moving towards north-west direction weaken into deep depression in next six hours. "During this period Benglauru and surrounding districts are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall," he said.

9:48 PM

Estimated loss due to cyclone Nivar put at Rs 400 crore: Puducherry CM

The estimated loss to agriculture and other sectors due to cyclone Nivar has been tentatively put at Rs 400 crore and a full assessment is being made, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Thursday after visiting localities affected by the cyclonic storm when it made landfall in the early hours. Paddy crops over an extent of 820 hectares besides vegetables on 200 hectares, sugarcane on 170 hectares, 55 hectares of banana crop and betel leaf cultivated on seven hectares had been severely hit by the torrential rains, the chief minister said.

Puducherry administration would seek an interim relief of Rs 50 crores from the Centre,he told reporters. A full assessment was being made by the departments on the total quantum of loss in farm and other sectors although it had been estimated tentatively that the loss would be Rs 400 crore, Narayanasamy said. He expressed relief that 'Nivar' had caused no big loss and there was no loss of life. "I thank the Almighty for saving Puducherry from the fury of the cyclone," he said appreciating the team work of all departments, the NDRF team and defence personnel. Puducherry registered 27 cm rainfall while Karaikal recorded 10 cm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. Thursday. Water was drained from low lying areas and various housing colonies using pumps. All trees that were uprooted under the strong winds were being removed, the chief minister said.

8:48 PM

After cyclone Nivar, Tamil Nadu likely to receive heavy rains again next week: IMD

Slammed by the severe cyclonic storm Nivar early Thursday, Tamil Nadu is likely to receive another spell of very heavy rainfall as a fresh low pressure area is expected to form in the Bay of Bengal from November 29 onwards, the IMD said. India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the low pressure area likely to form on November 29 may bring very heavy rains over Tamil Nadu. He, however, said it needs to be seen whether the low pressure area will intensify into a cyclone. A low pressure area is the first stage of formation of a cyclone.

 

"We are closely monitoring it (the low pressure area)," Mohapatra said.

 

Cyclone Nivar, which hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' in the early hours of Thursday, has brought heavy rains over the state, especially in its northern parts. Under its influence, Puducherry received 30 cm rainfall, the highest among the affected regions, followed by Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu with 27 cm precipitation. Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 9.6 cm and Chennai 11.3 cm.

8:21 PM

Three killed, over 1,000 trees uprooted in Tamil Nadu as Nivar crosses coast near Puducherry

At least three people were killed in Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas marooned due to water-logging following heavy rains on Thursday as severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry. Subsequently, Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm and further into a deep depression,centered about 50 km west- southwest of Tirupati at 1430 hrs, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said.

 

According to IMD, it is to weaken into a depression during the next six hours. Heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Nivar made landfall in the early hours,leading to inundation and uprooting of trees. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

In Tamil Nadu, three people, including a woman, were killed in rain related incidents such as tree and wall collapses here, nearby Ponneri and Villupuram, authorities said.

 

7:50 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: We're assessing damage, funds will be released, says Tamil Nadu CM

7:39 PM

LIVE: Cyclonic Storm Nivar weakened into a Deep Depression, says IMD

7:03 PM

Minister inspects damage caused by cyclone to fishing harbour

Tamil Nadu Minister O S Manian on Thursday inspected the damage caused by the cyclone to the rubble mound wall of the under-construction fishing harbour at Tarangambadiin Nagapattinam district. Local fishermen appealed to the Handlooms Minister to increase the width and theheight of the wall to prevent damage by natural calamities in the future.

 

To this, the Minister said the Union government's attention would be drawn to the issue and suitable measures would be taken.

 

The harbour was being constructed at a cost of Rs 120 crore. To safeguard the harbour from tides, the rubble mound was constructed on the seafront. On Wednesday due to the cyclonic storm Nivar, the sea remained very rough at Tarangambadi and the wall sustained damage on the southern side with the tides thrashing the huge granite stones.

6:17 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Prohibitory order in Puducherry lifted

In view of the cyclone, a prohibitory order that has been in force here since November 24 to prevent movement of people and also gathering was lifted on Thursday. Rescinding the order imposed under section 144 CrPC, District Magistrate Purva Garg said preliminary assessment ofcyclone-related evacuation, rescue and relief work was undertaken by the territorial administration, and there was no loss of life or major damage reported from anywhere in the Union Territory.

 

The prohibitory order, enforced till 6 am today since November 24, has been rescinded, she said.

 

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, in her voice message to the people of Puducherry, thanked them for their cooperation because of which the administration was able to tide over the cyclone and ensure safety to life and property. Reports from District Collectors of Puducherry and Karaikal said except for the fall of the trees, there was no damage to properties.

6:01 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Puducherry CM visits Uppalam area to assess damage

5:38 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: 25 NDRF teams deployed across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh

Twenty-five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh in view of Cyclone Nivar, NDRF officials said.

 

"Landfall happened yesterday at midnight. 25 NDRF teams were assigned, 15 in Tamil Nadu, four in Puducherry and six in Andhra Pradesh. The cyclone is weakening gradually but it has the potential to cause further damage. Precautionary measures are being taken," Randeep Rana, DIG NDRF, told ANI on Thursday.

 

He said a total of seven teams of NDRF have also been deployed in Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, which share their border with Tamil Nadu.

 

The "very severe" Cyclonic Storm Nivar made landfall on the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 on Thursday and moved west-northwest direction while moving at the speed of 9 kmph, India Meteorological Department stated.

5:14 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Tamil Nadu CM visits a relief camp to meet affected people