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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Dec 12, 2016, 11:56 PM IST
Very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah', the most intense to have hit the Tamil Nadu capital in two decades, claimed 10 lives, flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw into disarry rail, road and air traffic as it crossed the coast here, pounding Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with heavy rain and squall.
Thousands of people were evacuated as roaring wind clocking speed of 100 km an hour uprooted trees, tore off hoardings and toppled cars.
Two fishermen were reported missing off the Andhra Pradesh coast in Kakinada and the Coast Guard has deployed ship for search and rescue operations. Though no major loss of life or property has been reported from Andhra Pradesh so far, heavy rains lashed Chittoor and SPS Nellore district, affecting normal life.
Public transport came to a standstill in Chennai with buses and suburban trains suspended and airport shut. Rail, road and air traffic, official sources said, were likely to be restored by tomorrow.
Most commercial establishments downed shutters in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.
Civic workers used hand-held battery-operated wood cutters to remove hundreds of uprooted trees lying on the roads.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF were deployed for rescue efforts as army was put on standby.
A Home Ministry spokesperson said in Delhi that four people were killed in the storm in Tamil Nadu, while six teams of NDRF and four of SDRF were engaged in rescue efforts.
About 8,000 people from low-lying areas in north Chennai, Pazhaverkadu in Tiruvallur district and villages off Mamallapuram, in Kanchipuram district were safely evacuated to 95 relief shelters, officials said.
In Andhra Pradesh, over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal were evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rain.
Coastal regions of northern Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram - continue to be on high alert even as people in low-lying areas were accommodated in relief centres.
In its forecast for the next 24 hours, the MeT office said rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, North Coastal Tamil Nadu was "very likely".
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (between seven and 19 centimetres were expected) at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall of over 20 cms were 'very likely' over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.
Gale wind speed reaching 100-110kms per hour gusting to 120 kmph was very likely to prevail during the next 12 hours along and off Chennai and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu, Nellore and adjoining areas of Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The tidal waves of about one metre height and above was "very likely" to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu, it said.
(PTI)
#CycloneVardah #Update Total number of deaths = 10 (4 in Chennai, 2 each in Kancheepuram,Tiruvallur, 1 each in Villupuram Nagapattinam)
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016
My prayers are with all those people who are affected due to adverse weather conditions caused by #CycloneVardah. Stay safe.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2016
Centre, @ndmaindia is working closely with local administrations & army for safety of life and property.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2016
Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam says Rs 4 lakh will be given to family members of those who died due to Cyclone Vardah from state disaster relief fund.
Karnataka: Bengaluru witnesses light showers after #CycloneVardah made landfall in Chennai pic.twitter.com/NH9KMrN6DF
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
Govt aided schools, private schools, colleges & other educational institutions in Chennai, Kanchipuram & Tiruvallur to remain closed on Tuesday.
#CycloneVardah: NDRF teams conducting relief and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/6Segf9mHKh
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
#WATCH: Fisherman at Pulicat Lake, along the border of Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu safeguard their belongings in view of #cyclonevardah pic.twitter.com/PrFeil8A8i
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
NDMA warns people not to venture out, says wind speed and rain may still intensify.
Wind speed will gradually decrease to 60-70 KMPH during next 3 hours: M Mohapatra, ADG IMD #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/vafPXWmAeN
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
#WATCH: Heavy rains and strong winds hit Tiruvallur district (Tamil Nadu) as #CycloneVardah makes landfall in Chennai pic.twitter.com/7g61H3lH0f
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
7 NDRF teams, 2 SDRF Teams and 2 Army Columns deployed for precautionary measures in Tamil Nadu: NDMA
Update - National Disaster Management Authority says 2 persons have lost their lives, 24 huts damaged, 8008 people accommodated in 95 relief camps.
Tamil Nadu Government says no fisherman's life has been lost till now and all precautionary steps have been taken.
People are advised not to park their vehicles near trees: TN DGP pic.twitter.com/hKGYkAqa9K
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) December 12, 2016
Tamil Nadu: Army personnel conduct rescue and relief operations in Chennai as heavy rainfall and strong winds lash the city #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/nFy5C3SLoy
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
#CycloneVardah Massive damage caused in parts of Chennai as heavy rainfall and storm results in uprooting of trees pic.twitter.com/IbrR7LtoDU
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
#WATCH: Heavy rainfall and storm lashes Chennai city as #CycloneVardah makes a landfall; trees uprooted, vehicles damaged in many parts pic.twitter.com/3wQ62KkVfs
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
Residents in Chennai have been sharing videos of the shields flying off the Park Hyatt in Anna Salai.
#cyclonevardah ferocious over #Hyatt Chennai. Hope the shields stay put. @HyattTweets @hyattregencyche pic.twitter.com/h26Vnp72ag
— Ajay Rajagopal (@Jaitwits) December 12, 2016
Northern prong of cyclone hit North of Chennai. Heavy rains and high speed winds expected to continue for the next 8-12 hours, ANI reports.
"Complete landfall to take another couple of hours. Conditions to remain severe between Chennai and Nellore," KG Ramesh, DG IMD, told ANI.
"Chennai division of southern railway badly affected. Senior officials camping at stations & control room," ADG (PR) Railways, Anil Saxena tells ANI.
Chennai Suburban railway network suspended till further notice. Some trains reaching and leaving Chennai diverted and cancelled: ADG(PR) Railways
Cyclone Vardah has made a landfall in Chennai. It is in process and will take more than 2 hours to complete. Wind speed at present around 100-110 km/hour. Chennai recorded maximum wind speed of 192 Km/hour: M Mahapatra, ADG MeT Department.
Food and other essential commodities have been kept ready in adequate quantities: CM #CycloneVardah
— Andhra Pradesh CM (@AndhraPradeshCM) December 12, 2016
Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off south #AndhraPradesh during next 36 hrs: CM #CycloneVardah
— Andhra Pradesh CM (@AndhraPradeshCM) December 12, 2016
Amma canteen is open throughout the city, food will be provided free of cost to all #cyclonevardah
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) December 12, 2016
#Vardah tree fallen at Perungalathur to Vandalur GST ROAD .. avoid this route for few hours @chennaiweather @ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/6lMGdbBHx1
— Dinesh Jayapalan (@Dinesh_J29) December 12, 2016
Outer periphery of #Vardah touches Chennai coast, strong winds cause heavy damage,trees uprooted. Heavy traffic jams in parts of the city.
#WATCH: Trees uprooted, damage caused in parts of Chennai as heavy rains and strong winds lash the city #CycloneVardah pic.twitter.com/ZPQa0CqifU
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
INS Shivalik + INS Kadmatt deployed in the Bay of Bengal ...holding North of Chennai.
#cyclonevardah 2X IN ships Shivalik& Kadmatt out at sea & holding N of Chennai 2 provide immediate assistance if required @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/dR4loPf872
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 12, 2016
Over 9,400 evacuated
Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh were evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.
Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons feared trapped at sea.
"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said.
#CycloneVardah. One additional @adgpi column placed on standby. Total Army columns now on standby is Seven.
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 12, 2016
Tamil Nadu CM O. Panneerselvam reviewed government agencies preparedness to face Cyclone Vardah
7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely so far: TN Government
Two ships of Navy Shivalik & Kadmatt already in north of area likely to be affected to render immediate assistance if required: Navy chief PRO
#Vardah Expected landfall in 2-3 hours
— TN SDMA (@tnsdma) December 12, 2016
15 NDRF teams deployed in TN, Andhra Pradesh
Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for relief and rescue efforts as cyclonic storm 'Vardah' is expected to make landfall this afternoon.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations.
People living in Ennore and Palaverkadu have been asked to evacuate by Tamil Nadu Government.
#Vardah Due to severity of wind speed, power connection will be cut off at various locations,people r requested to make alternative options.
— TN SDMA (@tnsdma) December 12, 2016
Wind warning: Currently, wind speed is 50-60 kmph & during landfall it will be 100-110 kmph. Storm surge: About 1 mtr height #vardah : National Disaster Management Authority
#WATCH: Rain lashes Chennai-MeT says #CycloneVardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon pic.twitter.com/FVXrxFgAJl
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 12, 2016
There will be heavy rains during day time. Wind speed is likely to be high but as the day progress it may reduce: DIG NDRF
