Very severe cyclone Nivar crosses Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam; heavy rain lashes coastal areas including Chennai

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The Very Severe Cyclone Nivar hit the coast late last night and its landfall was completed early today morning. It crossed the shores near Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu, close to Puducherry. While crossing, the cyclone triggered fierce winds of speed ranging from 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, gushing to 140 km per hour. It also led to torrential rainfall in many coastal areas including in Chennai. The sea has been ferocious during the landfall. Several rivers and rivulets and water bodies are receiving copious waters.

The Met Department has said the cyclone will start weakening in about six hours after the landfall. However, the rain activity under its impact will continue for more than 15 hours. AIR correspondent reports that over 1.2 lakh people were shifted from vulnerable areas in coastal districts ahead of the cyclone’s landfall and are sheltered in relief camps. Reports of uprooting of trees due to the cyclone keep coming from several places.

The nature’s fury has been more unruly than what was predicted earlier, and the pattern of its movement towards the shores has been varying from time to time, say weather experts. The assessment of the damages due to the cyclone is expected to follow and rescue and relief efforts to be launched.

 The NDRF and the Defence Forces are ready in their bases and camps to render assistance to the civil administration in the rescue and relief measures. More than 250 cellphone towers have fallen under the impact of the cyclone. The state discom has said it has kept over 1.5 lakh electric poles at different places to replace any damage to the distribution network. Several competitive and qualifying examinations and interviews have been postponed in the state due to the cyclone.

Government and public sector offices and banks will be closed today in 16 districts as the forecast suggests heavy rain. Senior officials who monitor the cyclone rescue and relief works have expressed satisfaction in getting cooperation from the public.
 
The process of NIVAR making landfall on the coasts of Puducherry began around 11 pm last night. AIR correspondent reports, according to the India Meteorological Department, the centre of the cyclone passed through Puducherry around midnight with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph around 2.30 am.
Due to incessant rains throughout the night water logging complaints were received from low lying areas of Puducherry like, Krishna Nagar, Rainbow Nagar, Sakthi Nagar and Chellan Nagar. 10 instances of trees uprooting have been reported so far from town area and Fire Service dept attended. One Old Lady with a child was successfully rescued by Puducherry Police from the Inundated house in Rainbow Nagar 7th Cross after the State Emergency Operation Centre received a distress call.

The IMD said Puducherry received 187 mm rainfall, Karaikal 84 mm,
Cuddalore received 227 mm of rainfall between till yesterday night 10.30 pm. The IMD has said that the very intensity of Cyclone Nivar over Puducherry is weakening gradually. While rainfall will continue, the intensity of the rainfall will decrease.