Explained: The intensity and impact of Cyclone Nivar

Cyclone Nivar landfall tonight: According to the Regional Meteorological Department in Chennai, the weather formation has already intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm.

An elderly woman pushes her cart on a waterlogged road during heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Nivar, in Chennai, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (PTI Photo/R Senthil Kumar)

Cyclone Nivar, which is expected to make landfall on the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast late Wednesday night, has already intensified into a ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm. The weather formation was about 90 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 150 km east southeast of Puducherry and 220 km south southeast of Chennai on Wednesday evening.

What is Cyclone Nivar’s intensity?

According to the Regional Meteorological Department in Chennai, the weather formation has already intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. The cyclone with a gale wind speed reaching 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph was prevailing over southwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph by late Wednesday night to early hours of Thursday. Senior IMD officials said the cyclonic storm is likely to take about six hours to weaken after it makes landfall. Follow Cyclone Nivar LIVE Updates here

The affected areas

Regions, including Myladuthurai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram. Kallapurichi, Thiruvannamalai districts, and Puducherry are receiving extremely heavy rainfall. Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Trichy, Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Tiruppatur, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Chennai, and Tiruvallur districts are receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Heavy rain is expected in Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Pudukkottai districts on Thursday as well.

Its impact so far

Water-logging in Chennai

Consistent rains from Tuesday morning led to water-logging in several parts of Chennai city, including thickly populated Velacherry and Nanganallur.

While the city was largely deserted and many remained home following the declaration of public holiday on Wednesday and Thursday, normal life was affected in several parts as shops were also shut fearing damage and flood.

In this India Meteorological Department (IMD) released satellite image captured on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, Cyclone Nivar, which has already intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to cross the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday night or early Thursday. (PTI Photo)

Metro services, trains, ports affected

Chennai metro services were stopped at 7 pm Wednesday and will resume Thursday after reviewing the weather conditions. 📣 Express Explained is now on Telegram

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Southern Railway cancelled at least 10 more train services for Thursday and Friday considering the expected impact of the cyclone.

All three ports in Chennai have been closed and cargo vessels were sent to outer seas as part of safety protocols. Besides cancelling several flights services, operations of Chennai International Airport will be suspended from 7pm (Wednesday) to 7am (Thursday).

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Public holiday on Nov 26

The state government has announced a public holiday on Thursday for 16 districts including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Kallakurichi, Tirupattur, Vellore and Ranipet.

Chennai waterlogging, Chennai rain, Cylone Nivar Chennai, Cyclone Nivar

Waterlogging due to heavy rains in Chennai. (Twitter/@koushiktweets)

Water released from Chembarambakkam lake

For the first time after the Chennai floods in 2015, about 1000-1500 cusecs of water was released from Chembarambakkam lake on Wednesday afternoon. The volume of water was increased to 5000 cusecs by evening. The quantity of release may be further increased in the night. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with senior officials, have inspected Chembarambakkam catchment area.

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Fishing activities suspended, residents evacuated

The authorities have ordered total suspension of fishing activities as sea condition was high over southwest Bay of Bengal and rough to very rough along and off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Fishermen moves their boat to safety at Devanerikuppam before the landfall of Cyclone Nivar, near Mamallapuram, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (PTI Photo/R Senthil Kumar)

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About 500 residents were evacuated from low-lying areas in Chennai alone.

Arun Janardhanan

Arun Janardhanan is an experienced and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Express. Based in the state, his reporting combines ground-level access with long-form clarity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of South India’s political, judicial, and cultural life - work that reflects both depth of expertise and sustained authority. Expertise Geographic Focus: As Tamil Nadu Correspondent focused on politics, crime, faith and disputes, Janardhanan has been also reporting extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long body of work on its elections, governance, and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings through detailed stories and interviews. Key Coverage Areas: State Politics and Governance: Close reporting on the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of new political actors such as actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party churn, Centre–State tensions, and the role of the Governor. Legal and Judicial Affairs: Consistent coverage of the Madras High Court, including religion-linked disputes and cases involving state authority and civil liberties. Investigations: Deep-dive series on landmark cases and unresolved questions, including the Tirupati encounter and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, alongside multiple investigative series from Tamil Nadu. Culture, Society, and Crisis: Reporting on cultural organisations, language debates, and disaster coverage—from cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies—anchored in on-the-ground detail. His reporting has been recognised with the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. Beyond journalism, Janardhanan is also a screenwriter; his Malayalam feature film Aarkkariyam was released in 2021. ... Read More