Cyclone Nivar further weakens into cyclonic storm

The severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Tamil Nadu and it is set to further weaken into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department tweeted on Thursday. "Severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. The cyclonic storm Nivar would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during next 06 hours and into a depression by subsequent 06 hours."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday tweeted that he spoke to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and assured them of all possible help in the wake of severe cyclonic storm Nivar.

We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Have spoken to CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and CM Shri @VNarayanasami and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams already on ground to help people in need.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 26, 2020

Puducherry CM V Narayansami inspects Cyclone Nisvar preparedness at coastal areas.

HCM Shri. @VNarayanasami took site inspection on the Coastal villages at Raj Bhavan Constituency and given instructions to the Line Department Officers for safety of the Human life ,Animals and Properties like boat, net, engine etc. #Puducherry pic.twitter.com/tr4gfQS5oS

— CMOPuducherry (@CMPuducherry) November 25, 2020

Relief and rescue operation being carried out by NDRF teams in Tamil Nadu i wake of Cyclone Nivar aftermath.

#CycloneNivar Update
26/11/20
Post Cyclone
@NDRFHQ on ground
@ Work 24x7
Road Clearance
Chengalapet,TN@ndmaindia @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @BhallaAjay26 @PIBHomeAffairs @ANI @pibchennai @pibvijayawada pic.twitter.com/25rjgJwrWp

-- dzatcha pradhansty naaraaynn prdhaan styprdhaan-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) November 26, 2020

Waterlogging reported from many parts in Chennai following overnight rainfall due to Cyclone Nivar.

Tamil Nadu: Waterlogging in parts of Chennai city following overnight rainfall due to #CycloneNivar pic.twitter.com/JivSEFVS3D

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020

The closure of Chennai Airport has been extended till 9AM of November 26, on assessing the prevailing climatic conditions due to Cyclone Nivar and taking passenger safety as top priority.

Cyclone Nivar rainfall (mm) on Nov 25 from 08:30 hours to 02:30 hours November 26 2020:
* Nagapatnam-63,
* Karaikal-86,
* Cuddalore-246,
* Puducherry-237
* Chennai-89

'Severe' Cyclonic Storm ‘Nivar’ would move northwest wards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during next 03 hours — IMD update at 5.45 am

SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM ‘NIVAR’ WOULD MOVE NORTHWEST WARDS AND WEAKEN FURTHER INTO A CYCLONIC STORM DURING NEXT 03 HOURS.https://t.co/XZd6NinWQK pic.twitter.com/4y5tTIUzBb

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 26, 2020

IMD: Landfall process continues. Centre of Cyclone Nivar to cross the coast near Puducherry within next 1-2 hours with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. Centre moved northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during past 6 hours.

VSCS #NIVAR
CENTRE MOVED NORTHWESTWARDS WITH A SPEED OF 16
KMPH DURING PAST 06 HOURS.
45 KM EAST-NORTHEAST OF CUDDALORE.
30 KM EAST OF PUDUCHERRY. pic.twitter.com/DXt8ep0Jue

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

Strong wind blows in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, Mahabalipuram, as the landfall process of Cyclone Nivar continues.

#WATCH Tamil Nadu: Chennai experiences rainfall and strong winds, as the landfall process of #CycloneNivar continues. Visuals from Marina Beach.

Over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated in Puducherry. pic.twitter.com/rtn3Gf2suy

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

#WATCH Tamil Nadu: Strong wind blows in Mahabalipuram, as the landfall process of #CycloneNivar continues.

The centre of very severe cyclonic storm #Nivar to cross coast near Puducherry within next 2 hours with wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph, as per the IMD. pic.twitter.com/DwjtRPPntH

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

IMD: RAINFALL (MM) DURING 08:30 TO 2230 HOURS IST OF NOVEMBER 25: CUDDALORE-227, PUDUCHERRY-187, KARAIKAL-84, CHENNAI-89 AND NAGAPATNAM-62.
 

Very severe Cyclonic Storm Nivar : REALISED RAINFALL (MM) DURING 08:30 TO 2230 HOURS IST OF 25TH
NOVEMBER 2020:
CUDDALORE-227,
PUDUCHERRY-187,
KARAIKAL-84,
CHENNAI-89 AND
NAGAPATNAM-62.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

IMD: Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 50 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 40 km east southeast of Puducherry. Landfall process commence. Centre of the cyclone to cross the coast near Puducherry within next 3 hours.
 

Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 50 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 40 km east southeast of Puducherry.Landfall process commence.Centre of cyclone to cross coast near puducherry within next 3 hours. visit https://t.co/XZd6NinWQK pic.twitter.com/aDT1MZJYbZ

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

S Balachandran, IMD Chennai: After 3 am intensity of cyclone will decrease. However, rainfall will continue tomorrow.

S Balachandran, IMD Chennai: Landfall process of severe cyclonic storm Nivar has started.

IMD: Nivar centered over southwest Bay Of Bengal about 95 km east-southeast of Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) and 100 km east-southeast of Puducherry. To cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts b/w Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during mid-night of November 25.
 

VSCS Nivar centered over SW BOB about 95 km east-southeast of cuddalore and 100 km east-southeast of https://t.co/YYUfZYe2ks cross tamilnadu and puducherry coasts b/w karaikal and mamallapuram around puducherry during mid-night of 25th. Visit https://t.co/wRl94BzRXr

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

The Joint CSIR- UGC NET Examination scheduled for November 26 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has been postponed due to Cyclone Nivar.
 

Postponement of Joint CSIR- UGC NET Examination in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry pic.twitter.com/5lFBAHhDF3

— PIB Education (@PIBHRD) November 25, 2020

Meanwhile, the civic authorities in Tamil Nadu have removed banners and hoardings in several districts including Chennai and Vellore expecting squally winds.

Police personnel have also placed barricades in arterial roads and important intersections in coastal districts to bar movement of vehicles and the government appealed to the people to stay indoors.
 

A Tamil Nadu senior official said that the number of people in relief centres has increased to 1,21,152. According to the government, these people have been housed in shelters at Ariyalur, Chengelpet, Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Perambalur, Ranipet, Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, and Villupuram districts.

After Tamil Nadu, the Puducherry govt has declared November 26 as a public holiday. The territorial administration declared a public holiday for all departments and educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal regions in view of Cyclone Nivar.
 

NDRF Director-General SN Pradhan: Cyclone Nivar may make landfall after 2 am on November 26. Over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated in Puducherry.
 

#CycloneNivar may make landfall after 2 am on November 26. Over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated in Puducherry: NDRF Director-General SN Pradhan pic.twitter.com/3vS6vf6oVy

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

The Severe Cyclonic Storm Nivar has further intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.

Aircraft operations at Chennai Airport will remain suspended from till 7 am November 26 due to Cyclone Nivar.

Strong winds blow in Tamil Nadu's Mamallapuram ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Nivar between Karaikal and Mamallapuram:
 

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Strong winds blow in Mamallapuram ahead of the expected landfall of #CycloneNivar between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during midnight today and early hours of November 26. pic.twitter.com/Wq48STEUCO

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

According to IMD:

Also read | Cyclone Nivar: Train services to these cities cancelled by Southern Railway; check routes affected and refund details

IMD: Severe Cyclonic Storm “NIVAR” over southwest Bay of Bengal, to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during mid-night of 25th and early hours of 26th November 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Severe Cyclonic Storm “NIVAR” over southwest Bay of Bengal,to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during mid-night of 25th and early hours of 26th November 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm pic.twitter.com/GUdyVMJnno

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

Damage expected over Tiruvarur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tiruvallaur districts of Tamilnadu and adjoining Andhra Pradesh:

Ø  Damage to thatched houses/ huts with the possibility of rooftops being blown off and unattached metal sheets may fly.

Ø  Damage to power and communication lines.

Ø  Damage to Kutcha and some damage to Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes.

Ø  Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of trees. Severe damage to banana and papaya trees, horticulture and crops & orchards. Large dead limbs blown from trees.

Ø Major damage to coastal crops. Damage to embankments/ salt pans.

Damage expected over Nagapattinam,  Myladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram & Chengalpattu districts of Tamilnadu and Karaikal & Puducherry:

Ø  Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses.  Some damage to old pucca houses. Potential threat from flying objects.

Ø  Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.

Ø  Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes.  Disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems.

Ø  Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango.

Ø  Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.

Ø  Visibility severely affected.

IMD: Under the influence of Severe Cyclonic Storm ''NIVAR'', fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/thunderstorm over coastal & north interior Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on 25th & 26th & southeast Telangana on 26th November.

 Under the influence of Severe Cyclonic Storm ''NIVAR'',
(i) fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/thunderstorm over coastal & north interior Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on 25th & 26th & southeast Telangana on 26th November. pic.twitter.com/eeeSouiq04

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2020

INDIAN COAST GUARD PREPAREDNESS FOR CYCLONE ‘NIVAR’:
 
• 15 DISASTER RELIEF TEAM READY FOR ASSISTING STATE/DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
 
• CONTINUOUS LIAISON BEING MAINTAINED WITH DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES FOR ENSURING SAFETY OF ALL FISHING BOATS/FISHERMEN
 
• ALL FISHING BOATS AT SEA BEING ADVISED BY SHIPS TO RETURN TO HARBOUR
 
• PORT AUTHORITIES ADVISED FOR SAFETY OF SHIPS AT ANCHORAGE

INDIAN COAST GUARD PREPAREDNESS FOR CYCLONE ‘NIVAR’:
 
• FOUR OPVs (SUJAY, SHAUNAK, SHAURYA AND SHAUNAK) DEPLOYED AT SEA IN DISASTER RELIEF CONFIGURATION FOR ASSISTANCE TO FISHERMEN/MERCHANT SHIPS AT SEA
 
• TWO HELICOPTERS STANDBY FOR IMMEDIATE LAUNCH POST LANDFALL FOR RESUCE AND RELIEF EFFORTS
 
• THREE DORNIER AIRCRAFT STANDBY AT VISAKHAPATNAM FOR LAUNCH POST LANDFALL FOR SURVEILLANCE, DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RELIEF
 

Indian Army has increased the number of teams due to the onset of Cyclone Nivar. Eight teams are being placed each at Chennai and Puducherry and 6 teams are placed at Trichy.

Tamil Nadu CM announces public holiday for 13 districts on Thursday - Chennai, Cuddalore, thanjavur, kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Nagapattinam, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Ariyalur, Cuddalore.

Ahead of Cyclone Nivar making a landfall in Tamil Nadu heavy rains lash Chennai. Water logging reported from some parts of the city of Chennai. 

IMD bulletin on Cyclone NIVAR:

It is very likely to most west-northwestwards for next 06 hours and northwestwards thereafter. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during the night of November 25, 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. 

IMD update on Tuesday:

The severe clonic storm 'NIVAR" over the southwest Bay of Bengal is centred about 300 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 310 km east southeast of Puducherry and 370 km south southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to intensify further into a 'very severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours.