Fishermen cover their boats at Marina Beach during heavy rain, triggered by Cyclone Nivar,in Chennai, Tuesday. (PTI Photo)Cyclone Nivar, Weather Forecast November 23, 24 Highlights: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said the severe cyclonic storm Nivar over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 6 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 0230 hrs IST over southwest Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards for the next six hours and then northwestwards. It added that Cyclone Nivar is very likely to intensify further into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next 12 hours. It is expected to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during November 25 late evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph
Almost 1,200 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue personnel have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry and 800 others are on standby in view of cyclone Nivar, the “very severe cyclonic storm” which is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening. NDRF chief S N Pradhan told PTI that they are prepared for a “high level of intensity and the worst form” of the cyclonic storm as it surges from the Bay of Bengal towards the southern coastline.
READ | Cyclone Nivar: How Tamil Nadu is bracing for another storm
The National Crisis Management Committee Tuesday took stock of the status of the storm and assured the affected states of all possible help, including the early release of disaster relief fund. The chief secretaries of the three states, directors general of India Meteorological Department and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) briefed the NCMC about their preparedness.
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday as the state braces for the cross over of Cyclone Nivar late in the evening on November 25. As per the government order, only essential services will continue to operate tomorrow.
Also Read | Cyclone Nivar: Some dos and don’ts to stay safe before, during and after landfall
Follow Cyclone Nivar Weather Forecast November 25, 26 Live Updates
The order calls for sanitisation of entire premises, particularly common areas, after every screening. (Express photo by Mimansa Shekhar)
The Severe Cyclonic Storm NIVAR over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 6 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 0230 hrs IST of 25th November, 2020 over southwest Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify further into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during the night of 25th November as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy held a review meeting to take stock of the preparedness in view of Cyclone Nivar.
The NCMC on Tuesday took stock of the status of the "very severe cyclonic storm" 'Nivar' that is expected to hit coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday, and assure the states of all possible help, including the early release of disaster relief fund. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, also directed all concerned to continue work aiming at zero loss of life and early restoration of normalcy in the affected areas that include power and telecommunications networks, an official spokesperson said. The NCMC reviewed the status of impending cyclone Nivar at a meeting held through video conferencing with the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. (PTI)
Several roads and intersections witnessed traffic congestion and waterlogging here on Tuesday in view of the intermittent rains influenced by the cyclonic storm 'Nivar.' The government, meanwhile, said following better storage in city's reservoirs, drinking water supply in the metropolis is set to be increased effective Wednesday.
Anna Salai, GST Road and Kathipara junction were among the locations that witnessed traffic snarls and several places came under sheets of water and vehicles moved at a slow pace.
While social media users shared videos of flooded roads like the Tiru-Vi-Ka Salai and Wall Tax Road, stagnant rain water at locations including the Kathipara point was pumped out by Chennai Corporation workers and they also removed 90 uprooted trees.
Police teams patrolled the city roads and people who turned up at the popular city and suburban beaches like the Marina and Neelangarai were dispersed by police personnel. Meanwhile, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani visited the Greater Chennai Corporation's control room at the Rippon Building headquartes for a review meet and flagged off a 'Mobile Command and Control Centre' van as part of measures to tackle the situation.
The Tamil Nadu government is pulling out all stops to ensure no repeat of the 2015 floods in the city,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,likely to cross the state coast on Wednesday. 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 said.
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. Chembarambakkam 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 deluge.
"Even if rains were to lash the metro, owing to the approaching cyclone, causing the water to rise sharply, there should not be any threat," a senior PWD official claimed. When the issue was taken up with Commissioner of Revenue Administration, K Phanindra Reddy, he said the inflow into Chembarambakkam lake would be around 6,500 cusecs only when there are heavy rains and this can be easily diverted to Adyar river, which has a capacity to carry 60,000 cusecs water.
"People need not harbour fears about flooding," he said. Further, necessary precautions have been taken to release the water in phases and not cause flooding,as in 2015, he told reporters here. Reddy said people would be intimated in advance about the release of water from Chembarambakkam lake, if the government decides to do so.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged people to follow safety measures as cyclone Nivar was expected to intensify and hit the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on November 25. He also urged people to stay indoors and asked Congress workers to provide assistance wherever needed.
"Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures. I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need. Stay indoors, stay safe," Gandhi said on Twitter.
Cyclone Nivar is expected to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on the late evening of November 25, the IMD said.
As the cyclonic storm Nivar is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, the Indian Navy is kept on standby for rescue and relief operations.
With a heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm expected in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts under the influence of cyclone Nivar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday asked the Collectors to be on a high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent damage.
The Chief Minister held a video conference with Collectors of SPS Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts and reviewed the situation in view of the cyclone. Though the cyclone would make its landfall in Tamil Nadu, heavy rains were likely in south coastal and Rayalaseema districts from Wednesday evening, the Chief Minister said.
"About 11-20 cm of rainfall is expected in SPS Nellore, Chittoor, parts of Kadapa, coastal areas of Prakasam, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts.
Winds with speed ranging from 65-75 kmph are also likely.We have to be geared up for this," the Chief Minister told the Collectors.
Jagan asked Collectors of SPS Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam districts to concentrate on opening relief camps wherever required for moving people to safety.
S Balachandran, the Deputy Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai said that Cyclone Nivar has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is currently moving at a speed of 5 km per hour.
Following heavy rains in the wake of Cyclone Nivar, IndiGo has announced that operation of flights to and from Chennai, Rajahmundry, Tiruchirapalli and Vijayawada are likely to be affected.
An Indigo flight which was scheduled to fly between Chennai and Tiruchirapalli at 8.30 pm today has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
Following heavy rainfall across coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar, the Southern Railway has fully cancelled 12 trains on November 25.
Here are the details of the cancelled trains:
With Cyclone Nivar set to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on November 25 evening, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has identified 77 cooking/relief centres to provide food and accommodate affected citizens.
Parts of Chennai are expected to receive heavy rainfall tomorrow in the wake of the cyclone.
With Cyclone Nivar set to cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on November 25, 22 NDRF teams have been pre-positioned at likely to be affected areas in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. Twelve teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, three in Puducherry and seven in Andhra Pradesh, while teams have also been kept on reserve at Guntur, Thrissur and Mundili to meet additional requirements.
The teams are all equipped with wireless and satellite communication, tree cutters, pole cutters and PPE kits.
The NDRF teams are working in coordination with the respective district and local administration and are assisting in the evacuation of people from areas that are likely to be affected, in addition to creating awareness on cyclone do's and don'ts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged his party men to provide assistance to those in need. Taking to Twitter, he wrote "Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures. I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need. Stay indoors, stay safe."
With Cyclone Nivar set to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday, suburban train services in Chennai have been cancelled from 10 am on November 25.
Several streets in Chennai were waterlogged as the city continued to receive heavy rainfall throughout the day on Tuesday. The city had received 465.40 mm till 6 am according to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has released emergency helpline numbers in view of Cyclone Nivar. The areas have been separated as Chennai South (I, II), Chennai North, Chennai West, Chennai Central, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Cyclone Nivar is likely to move west-northwards and for the next 12 hours and then northwestwards before crossing Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram late in the evening on November 25. The IMD said that that Cyclone Nivar will cross as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
The storm lay centered over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 82.6°E, about 370 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 420 km south-southeast of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Tuesday.
With Cyclone Nivar expected to cross over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts late Wednesday evening, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of damage to thatched houses in Tiruvarur, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu. According to the IMD, there is a possibility of roof tops being blown off and unattached metal sheets flying on Wednesday.
The IMD has warned that power and communication lines and kutcha and pucca roads may get damaged, with flooding of escape routes likely to occur. Further, there will be uprooting of trees and breaking off of tree branches and damage to papaya and banana trees, horticulture and crops.
The IMD has also warned of damage to salt pans and major damage to coastal crops.
With Cyclone Nivar expected to cross over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts late Wednesday evening, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of extensive damage to kutcha house and total destruction of thatched houses in Nagapattinam, Mayiladathurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts in Tamil Nadu and homes in Puducherry and Karaikal.
According to the IMD, there will be potential threat from flying objects and uprooting of trees and communication poles in these areas. Further, there may be flooding of escape routes and disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems. The IMD has also warned of widespread damage to crops, tearing of palm fronds and falling of coconuts in the above districts.
The IMD has warned that visibility may get severely affected and small boats may get detached from their mooring lines.
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the state braces for the cross over of Cyclone Nivar late in the evening on November 25. As per the government order, only essential services will continue to operate tomorrow.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms over coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 24 and November 26, over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 25 and 26 and southeast Telangana on November 26 in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.
According to the IMD, parts of Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Perambalur will receive heavy rainfall today. Parts of Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Puducherry, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu to Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karaikal are expected to receive widespread rainfall on November 25, while parts of Nellore and Chittoor are slated to receive heavy rainfall on November 25.
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over parts of Rayalseema and southeast Telangana on November 26.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Cyclone Nivar is likely to move west-northwards and for the next 12 hours and then northwestwards before crossing Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram late in the evening on November 25. The IMD said that that Cyclone Nivar will cross as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
The storm lay centered over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 82.7°E, about 380 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 430 km south-southeast of Chennai at 11.30 am on Tuesday.
Section 144 has been imposed in Puducherry to prevent loss of life and ensure the safety of the public. All shops and establishments have been directed to remain closed from 9 pm on November 24 to 6 am on November 26, subject to further revision.
The order does not apply to those government officials on cyclone duty, law and order and those involved in essential services like milk supply, petrol bunks, pharmacies and health services.
As per the latest report from RMC, Chennai, Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. The storm is now located about 380 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 430 km away from the south-southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards for the next 12 hours and then northwestwards. "It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry by November 25 late evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph," the bulletin read.
Citizens and motorists in Chennai were forced to wade through waterlogged streets on Tuesday after the city received heavy rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
President Ram Nath Kovind boarded the Air India One-B777 aircraft on Tuesday for its inaugural flight to Chennai, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement.
Kovind is visiting Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to offer prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, it said.
“This is the first flight of the Air India One-B777 aircraft with the head of State on board. The aircraft is fuel efficient and has a longer range than the B747-400 that are deployed for similar VVIP operations,” the statement said.
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The Northeast monsoon occurs during October to December, and is a comparatively small-scale monsoon, which is confined to the Southern peninsula. Also called the winter monsoon, the rainfall associated with the Northeast monsoon is important for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, north interior Karnataka, Mahe and Lakshadweep.
Tamil Nadu records about 48 per cent (447.4 mm) of its annual rainfall (943.7 mm) during these months, making it the key factor for undertaking agricultural activities and reservoir management in the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast below normal rainfall over Tamil Nadu and normal rainfall over the southern peninsula for the current season. This year, the Southwest monsoon withdrew completely from the country on October 28, with a delay of a fortnight. IMD’s data records between October 1 and November 23 show significantly below-normal rain over Lakshadweep (minus 42 per cent), Puducherry (minus 39 per cent), Tamil Nadu (minus 25 per cent) and Kerala (minus 30 per cent). The majority of districts in Tamil Nadu remain highly rain-deficient as on November 23.
Officials at IMD have linked deficiency of rainfall to the prevailing La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which has a negative impact on rainfall associated with the Northeast monsoon. La Niña conditions are expected to prevail until early 2021, with some weather models forecasting it to last even till March. As a result, there are high chances that the southern peninsular region may end up with deficient rainfall by the end of the Northeast monsoon season in December.
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Puducherry Chief Minister Narayansamy said that the police were asked to keep vigil on beach road as there should be no movement of people. A team of National Disaster Response Force from Arkonam arrived at the union territory on Tuesday while another team was deployed in Karaikal to take up rescue works, official sources said.
The Joint Director to Education Department said in a release that all schools that were asked to function on account of public examinations were directed to remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the squally weather.
With Cyclone Nivar expected to make landfall on Wednesday, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy reviewed preparations in the union territory.
In a voice message, the chief minister said that he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of all precautionary steps taken by the territorial government to face the cyclone during a telephonic conversation. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea.
Narayanasamy said all business establishments have been asked to close this evening and remove the high-rise advertisement boards. All the government staff have been instructed not to avail leave and be at their offices to respond to call for help. Emergency control rooms were set up in all departments.
"No effort is spared and the government has prepared the machinery to rise to any exigency," Narayanasamy, who had chaired a meeting of the State level Disaster Management Authority on Monday, said.
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanswamy reviewed the preparations in coastal areas as the Union territory braces for Cyclone Nivar.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) conducted 397 fever clinics in Chennai on Monday. A total of 19,196 people attended the clinics, with swabs collected from 667 people who were identified with ILI symptoms, while others were provided with medication for minor ailments.
The most number of camps were held in Teynampet (Zone 9) where 49 camps were set up, while Manali (Zone 2) had the least with four camps.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has rescheduled the CA November exams for the students hailing from cities affected in the Nivar cyclone-affected areas. The exams which were to be held on November 24 and 25 will now be conducted on December 9 and 11, as per the latest notice by the institute.
“It is hereby notified for general information that in view of heavy rains due to the Nivar cyclone and consequent disruption of normal life in some cities in the state of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (UT), the Chartered Accountants exams scheduled to be held on November 24 and 25, in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Karaikudi, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Tiruvallur & Villupuram and Puducherry (U.T) stand rescheduled,” the ICAI said in an official notice.
The rescheduled Intermediate and IPC exams will be held on December 9 and the final (old and new) examination will be held on December 11, for the above-stated centres only at the same time. Admit cards already issued would remain valid for the rescheduled date, it added. “It is clarified that the schedule of examinations of all other cities shall remain unchanged,” said the ICAI.
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Scenes from Nungambakkam. Several areas in Chennai have been receiving moderate rainfall since Tuesday morning.
Puducherry government Tuesday announced that to prevent loss of life and ensure the safety of general public it will impose a three-day curfew till November 26 as Cyclone Nivar is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Wednesday evening. 'Prohibit the presence or movement of one or more persons in public places in the entire Puducherry region and closure of all shops and establishments from 24-11-2020 9:00 pm to 26-11-2020 6:00 am,' the release read.
A man from Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore has set a new Guinness World Record by removing the most number of bottle caps with his head in one minute.
Prabhakar Reddy, an Indian martial arts expert, removed 68 bottle caps in a minute, to make it to the book of records. He was assisted by Sujith Kumar E and Rakesh B.
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Even as India will not be affected by this year’s second cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea, called cyclone Gati, which is expected to move westwards towards Somalia, cyclone Nivar, brewing in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. As the respective governments deploy measures to curb the impact, here are some crucial aspects that individuals in these areas need to keep in mind in the face of heavy rainfall.
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According to the latest bulletin from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Nivar is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. It is now located about 410 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 450 km away from the southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards for the next 12 hours and then northwestwards. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during 25th November 2020 evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.
Chennai recorded 465.40 mm of rainfall as parts of the city received moderate to heavy showers over the last 24 hours. The average rainfall recorded was 42.31 mm.
Here is the breakup of rainfall recorded across Chennai till 6 am:
Chennai Collectorate Building, Purasawakkam - 51 mm
Corporation Bank, Perambur - 40.20 mm
Ambattur - 26 mm
New Taluk Office, Ayanavaram - 52 mm
Nungambakkam, Egmore - 46.80 mm
CD Hospital, Tondiarpet - 33.60 mm
Government Higher Secondary School, MGR Nagar, Mambalam - 82.60 mm
Anna University, Guindy - 27.60 mm
DGP Office, Mylapore - 22.80 mm
Alandur - 70.40 mm
Sholinganallur - 12.40 mm
The Selection Committee of the Directorate of Medical Education in Tamil Nadu has announced that counselling for admission to MBBS and BDS courses for the academic year 2020-2021 has been postponed to November 30 owing to Cyclone Nivar. In a circular, the committee said the process, which was to be held today has been rescheduled owing to difficulty in commuting by candidates and their parents.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has said that the deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 12 hours.
The depression lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 23rd November, 2020 over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 83.3°E, about 440 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 470 km southeast of Chennai.
It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during 25th November 2020 evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.
The Supreme Court Monday extended by a week the parole of A G Perarivalan, serving life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, for undergoing medical check up.
A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi also directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide police escort to Perarivalan during his visit to doctors in a hospital.
The parole, granted to the convict by the Madras High Court, was ending on Monday and now stands extended by one more week.
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The IMD has suggested complete suspension of fishing activity in the west-southwest regions of the Bay of Bengal till November 25. Fishermen have been advised to not venture into the sea during the next three days.
Temporary houses and huts could suffer damage. Power and communication lines, trees could be uprooted. Standing crops could be hit due to the saline water carried landwards by the cyclone.
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A total of 184 flights will be operated between Chennai and major cities today, with 93 arrivals and 91 departures scheduled at the Chennai International Airport.
With Cyclone Nivar expected to bring heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy regarding the cyclone situation in the state and union territory respectively. Modi assured support from the centre as the cyclone is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
"Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas", (sic) he tweeted.
Telangana's coronavirus tally crossed 2.65 lakh as 921 more cases were added on Monday, while three related fatalities pushed the toll to 1,437.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 146, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 81 and Bhadradri Kothagudem 71, a government bulletin said on Tuesday.
As many as 11,047 patients are under treatment and 42,740 samples were tested on Monday. Cumulatively, over 52 lakh samples have been tested. The samples tested per million population was over 1.39 lakh, the bulletin said.
The case fatality rate in the state was 0.54 per cent while the rate in Telangana was 95.28 per cent.
Tamil actor Thavasi passed away on Monday evening at Madurai’s Saravana Multispeciality Hospital, following a long battle with cancer. Dr P Saravanan, Managing Director of Saravana Multispeciality Hospital, took to Twitter to express his condolences to the actor’s family.
A couple of weeks ago, Thavasi released a video message, seeking financial assistance for his cancer treatment. “I have acted in films from Kizhakku Cheemayile to the latest Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe. I never thought that I would get such a disease,” Thavasi had said in the viral video.
Thavasi was known for movies like Kizhakku Cheemayile, Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, Rajini Murugan and Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai among others. He was also seen in the TV show Rasathi.
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With Cyclone Nivar expected to bring heavy rainfall in Chennai over the next few days, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has released helpline numbers for citizens to lodge cyclone-related complaints and avail assistance in case of any queries.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall on November 25. As of 5.30am of Tuesday, the cyclone was located at about 410 kms east-southeast of Puducherry and 450kms southeast of Chennai.
Northern districts of Tamil Nadu will face the maximum hazard of the cyclone. On Tuesday, heavy rain is predicted for Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Perambu. On the day of cyclone crossing the land, districts like Puducherry, Kallakurchi, Kadalur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu and Karaikal could record extremely heavy rain.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Nellore and Chittoor districts of Rayalaseema, Telangana, south interior Karnataka will also receive rainfall due to this cyclone between November 24 – 26.
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The maximum hazard due to Cyclone Nivar will be caused to Tamil Nadu. Extreme weather, here, would occur both on Tuesday and Wednesday. In association with development of the severe cyclonic storm, sea conditions in the west-southwest regions of the Bay of Bengal have turned rough to extremely rough and remain at its most unfavourable condition on Wednesday.
With extremely heavy rain — of the order of 20cm or more, forecast on Wednesday, the IMD has placed Tamil Nadu under ‘red’ (take action) alert. Northern districts, here, could experience rainfall more than 24 cm on the day. Heavy rain (64 to 115mm) is also forecast over Rayalaseema, Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and south interior Karnataka during November 24-26.
On Tuesday, winds with speeds 65 to 75 km/hr gusting to 85 km/hr would prevail off Tamil Nadu coast. As the cyclone would inch closer to the coast and enter the ‘severe’ category, winds with speeds 100 to 110 km/ hr gusting to 120 km/hr is forecast over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Such strong winds are expected for at least 12 hours on Wednesday.
At the time of the cyclone crossing over to the land, storm surge with tidal waves up to one metre in height above the astronomical tide, is expected. This could lead to inundation of low-lying areas. Most of the storm surge would be experienced along the coastal areas between Puducherry and Chennai.
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The Tamil Nadu government eight senior IPS officer to monitor rescue and relief work in Tamil Nadu, as Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
Telangana government Monday allowed reopening of cinema halls, multiplexes, theatres, etc., located outside containment zones, with 50 per cent occupancy. A government order for this, effective immediately, was issued by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar.
Managements of these places have to make sure that all persons –– audience, staff, vendors, etc. –– use masks all the time, and hand sanitizers are kept available at the entry and exit points and common areas.
The order calls for sanitisation of entire premises, particularly common areas, after every screening. It also directs the management to stagger show timings and ensure that intervals of different shows do not occur simultaneously.
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Tamil Nadu recorded 1624 positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the state tally to 7,71,619. Among these, Chennai reported 483 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 2,12,504.
The state recorded 17 deaths on Monday, putting the state toll at 11,622. Sixteen of them had succumbed due to comorbidities. The state discharged 1904 patients following treatment, putting the total number of recoveries at 7,47,752.
As of Monday, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu is 12,245. Till date, 4,66,167 males, 3,05,419 females and 33 transgenders have tested positive for the virus in the state.
According to a bulletin released by the Health and Family Welfare Department of Tamil Nadu, 1,16,06,250 samples from the state have been sent for testing till date, with 65,012 samples having been sent yesterday.
The IMD has suggested complete suspension of fishing activity in the west-southwest regions of the Bay of Bengal till November 25. Fishermen have been advised to not venture into the sea during the next three days.
As of 5.30am of Tuesday, the cyclone was located at about 410 kms east-southeast of Puducherry and 450kms southeast of Chennai.
The cyclone is expected to gain strength into a Severe Cyclone category (90 to 100 km/hr gusting to 110 km/hr) by Wednesday.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while a yellow alert has been issued for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Northern districts in Tamil Nadu could experience rainfall more than 24 cm on Wednesday.