Cyclone Vardah: Centre asks Tamil Nadu to keep vigil in reservoir areas

'With rainfall forecast that intensity will increase gradually at a few places, good inflows are likely into reservoirs,' Centre said

The Centre on Monday asked Tamil Nadu government to keep a vigil in areas of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other reservoirs in view of heavy to very heavy rainfall coupled with cyclonic storm Vardah.

"With a rainfall forecast that the intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city.

"As the lakes are not full, the inflows shall increase the levels in the reservoirs considerably. State government has been advised to maintain strict vigil at all the lakes in case of exceptionally heavy rainfall," Union Water Resources ministry said in a statement.

Helpline numbers:

Andhra Pradesh: 0866-2488000
Tamil Nadu: 044-28593990