 "Cyclone Vardah, chennai")
Heavy rainfall accompanied by high-speed wind lashed Chennai and other coastal parts of the state on Monday. Cyclone Vardah, located some 180 km away from the coast line, forced the Tamil Nadu government to declare a holiday for schools, colleges and other government institutions.
The city and its neighbouring districts will continue to receive heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Vardah, which is expected to make a landfall in Chennai on Monday afternoon .The Regional Meteorological Centre said 'Vardah' lay centred at 330 km east of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Sunday and would move westwards before making landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on Monday afternoon.
It is expected to cover entire coastal Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Southern Andhra Pradesh, said S Balachandran, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre here.
It is expected to cover entire coastal Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Southern Andhra Pradesh, said S Balachandran, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre here.
Balachandran said that wind speeds of up to 55 kmph will sweep across the districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Puducherry, Salem and Villupuram and will experience “heavy to very heavy rainfall.” Chennai alone could receive 20 cm of rain.
Wind is going to be the major challenge, says expert.
How prepared are the states?
How prepared are the states?
On Sunday evening Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation and reviewed preparedness to deal with Cyclone Vardah with key ministers and the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority.
“District administration and all field officers are put on high alert. Field officers/area wise nodal officers positioned in the field to closely oversee the preparedness, rescue and relief works,” the government said in a press statement.
Army, Navy, Air-force and Coast Guard have been alerted and put on standby for deployment as and when necessary.
NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Rescue services department personnel are already pre-positioned for meeting any eventuality. Rescue and relief teams will be equipped with Power Saws and transportation for removing fallen trees and restoring traffic.
All local bodies have also been put on alert and asked to make arrangements for supply of chlorinated drinking water and to fill up all over head tanks for ensuring water supply.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during the next 36 hours as the sea conditions would be rough.
In Andhra Pradesh seven mandals under Gudur and Sullurupet constituencies in Nellore district and 11 mandals in Prakasam district are kept on high alert.
About 500 men from Fire Service department are also getting ready to extend their support in rescue and relief operations besides 120 Police Seva Dal members and swimmers who would extend their services.
The State disaster management commissioner M.V. Seshagiri Babu said that the district administrations are being coordinated from Command Control Centre in Vijayawada from time to time in assessing the situation.
People have been asked not to panic but listen to the government radio and television for reliable information.Seven NDRF teams have been sent to the vulnerable places.
Food and other essential commodities should be kept ready in adequate quantities.
With inputs from Agencies
