Cyclone Nivar is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours and is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during late evening of November 25, with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, the Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday. It said the cyclonic storm is currently centred about 380 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 430 km southeast of Chennai.
“A close watch is being kept over the system,” the ministry said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) HQ and Commandants of battalions located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are in coordination with the respective state authorities. In view of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast and requirements projected by the state authorities, 22 teams (12 teams in Tamil Nadu, three teams in Puducherry and seven teams in Andhra Pradesh) have been pre-positioned at likely affected areas.
The teams have been kept reserve at Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Thrissur (Kerala) and Mundli (Odisha) to meet additional requirements, the ministry said in a statement.
“All teams have reliable wireless and satellite communications, tree cutters and pole cutters for post landfall restoration, if need arises. In view of the current COVID-19 scenario, NDRF teams are equipped with appropriate PPEs,” the statement said, adding that the NDRF is working in close coordination with district and local administrations.
“Awareness programmes are being conducted for all citizens in the form of information about cyclones, do’s and don’ts and information about COVID-19 in affected areas and prevention measures. All deployed teams are assisting the local administration in evacuation of people from areas that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. NDRF is spreading a sense of security amongst the communities that teams are available at their service and will remain present in the area until the situation returns to normal, so that the public does not panic,” the home ministry further said.
The Tamil Nadu government is pulling out all stops to ensure no repeat of the 2015 floods in Chennai, as they mounted a vigil on four reservoirs, anticipating a rapid rise in water levels in view of heavy rains forecast due to cyclone Nivar.
The administration has taken necessary precautions to release the water in phases and avert flooding, as in 2015, in the event of upsurge in the storage levels, a senior PWD department official told PTI.
The combined storage level in the reservoirs at Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam stood at 64.15 per cent or 8.156 TMC ft against the full capacity of 12.713 TMC ft, which is slightly higher compared to the quantum two days ago. Chebarambakkam which has nearly 80 per cent water (21.22 feet against its full level capacity of 24 feet) has become a cause for concern for residents, reminding them of the 2015 delugue.
The state government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday. Suburban trains in Chennai will stop services from 10 am.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswmai on Tuesday visited the State Emergency Operation Centre in Chennai to review the precautionary measures being taken.
