The Tamil Nadu government has alerted all district administration to take precautionary measures to tackle Cyclone Nivar and has pushed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to carry out relief operations. The state alerted fishermen to return to the coast. Cyclone Nivar is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal in Puducherry and Mahabalipuram in Chennai on November 25. Parts of Chennai and Tamil Nadu are likely to witness extremely heavy rains. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a depression over southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm over the next 24 hours.
Talking to reporters, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management RB Udhayakumar said, “Six NDRF teams have been moved to Cuddalore from Arakkonam. Two teams have been retained for emergency services. The Chief Minister has instructed all district administration to carry out precautionary measures to face the cyclone.” Minister added close monitoring is happening, alerted fishermen to return to the shore, checked rivers and lakes to find any breach and efforts are taken to strengthen the bunds. Electricity minister P Thangamani said electricity department is ready to carry out the relief works. Power lines will be disconnected when the cyclone makes a landfall in a cautious note. Fisheries minister Jayakumar asked people not to fear about the cyclone as the government is taking up all precautionary measures as a team.
“People in low lying areas have been instructed to move to safer locations. The fishermen are told to return to the coast. All the fishermen in the sea have started to return to the shore so they will reach the coasts soon. We are advising the people to not venture into the sea,” he added.
Nivar Cyclone heading towards Tamil Nadu and Andhra, alert issued
Heavy rains may hit in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Nivar to make landfall on Nov 25
IMD forecasts depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal for next 48 hours