Cyclone Nivar LIVE Updates: Near Chennai, Madras Power Station Activates Storm Fighting Machinery; Sec 144 in Puducherry for Next 3 Days

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy taking stock of the administration's preparedness as Cyclone Nivar is set to lash Puducherry today. 

In a series of tweets, the Indian Meteorological Department said that Cyclone Nivar is "very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours" and move west-northwestwards for the next 12 hours.

♦ The Cyclonic Storm “NIVAR” over southwest Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary during past 03 hours, and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 24th November, 2020 over southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 83.0°E, about 410 km eastsoutheast of Puducherry pic.twitter.com/bWhpicceMe

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 24, 2020

The Puducherry Chief Minister today said that all departments have been put on high-alert and will work in close coordination for restoring electricity, water, etc. "We're working overtime to ensure that there's no loss of life," Narayanasamy said.

The Chief Minister of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy, reviews preparations in the coastal areas as the Union Territory braces for Cyclone Nivar: 

ICAI CA Exams Rescheduled for Students in Nivar-hit Areas | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a revised schedule for the CA November exams in the Nivar cyclone-affected areas. The CA exams, which were to be held today and tomorrow, have now been postponed to December 9 and 11. 

The ICAI, in its official statement said, “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.”

Emergency Control Rooms Set Up in All Departments | Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea. Puducherry Chief Minister V 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.

PM Assured Pondy Govt of All Help in Context of Cyclone 'Nivar', Says CM Narayanasamy | Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured of necessary assistance and support to the union territory from the Centre to deal with cyclone 'Nivar' that is likely to make a landfall tomorrow. In a voice message, he said he had apprised the Prime Minister of all precautionary steps taken by the territorial government to face the cyclone during a telephonic conversation.

"We have a total of 30 teams committed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. We have nine teams in Puducherry & Tamil Nadu combined. One NDRF battalion is at Arakkonam & another is at Vijayawada," says SN Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force. 

Sea Condition Likely to be Very Rough | On Wednesday, squally weather with wind speed reaching 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph is likely to prevail over Southwest Bay of Bengal and along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Sea condition is likely to be very rough to high over these regions. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these sea areas for the above mentioned period.

Wind Speed to Reach 10kmph Today#

Wind Speed to Reach 10kmph Today | Squally weather with wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is likely to prevail over Southwest Bay of Bengal and along & off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry coast today.

According to the weather department, over the next 24 hours it is likely to intensify further into severe cyclonic storm and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Wednesday 8 pm as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Cyclone Nivar: Rain lashes parts of Chennai in Tamil Nadu

Section 144 in Puducherry | In the wake of Cyclone Nivar, the Puducherry government has imposed Section 144 in the Union Territory from 9pm on November 24 to 6am on November 26. The presence and movement of one or more people in public spaces are prohibited under the order.

The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, on Monday in Delhi and apart from reviewing various measures in view of cyclone Nivar, it also directed various stakeholders, including state governments concerned, to continue to work with an aim of zero loss of life and early restoration of normalcy in affected areas.

NDRF Deputes 30 Teams in Wake of Cyclone Nivar | The NDRF has earmarked 30 teams to launch rescue and relief operations in view of the cyclone 'Nivar' that is expected to hit the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between Tuesday and Thursday, officials said on Monday. A senior National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officer said while 12 teams have been pre-deployed, 18 are on standby in these states and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
 

IMD Suggests Suspension of Fishing Activity | The IMD, meanwhile, has suggested complete suspension of fishing activity in the west-southwest regions of the Bay of Bengal till November 25 to check the extent of destruction. It further advised fishermen against venturing into the turbulent sea during the next three days.

PM Modi Speaks to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry CMs Over Cyclone Nivar | Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar and assured them of all possible support from the Centre. On Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department had forecast a cyclonic storm that could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the region. In a tweet, the prime minister said, "Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and Puducherry CM Shri @VNarayanasami regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas."

'Nivar' 2nd Severe Cyclone in 2020 | Cyclone Nivar will be the second severe cyclone of this year in the Bay of Bengal after Cyclone Amphan, which caused havoc in West Bengal in May. Besides, it is the second cylone to lash Tamil Nadu after 'Gaja' in 2018. 

Cyclone Nivar to Make Landfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry | The cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast and Puducherry coast on November 25, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today. Heavy rainfall at isolated places is expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Cyclone Nirvar to Lash Andhra Pradesh, Tami Nadu Coasts | A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is turning into a cyclone and may cross the coast between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra tomorrow (November 25). Meanwhile, frontline departments in Andhra Pradesh have been are getting into a high alert mode as widespread rains are forecast in many districts in coastal and Rayalaseema regions of the state in the next three days under the influence of cyclonic storm Nivar.