Cyclone Nivar LIVE Updates: Chennai Airport Cancels 26 Flights, Puducherry L-G Kiran Bedi Appeals to People to Stay Indoors as IMD Predicts Winds Up to 145kmph

Water-logging in Chennai Areas | Water-logging was seen in areas of Chennai, Tamil Nadu after heavy rainfall ahead of Cyclone Nivar's landfall, ANI reported.

Tamil Nadu: Water logging in some parts of the city of Chennai, due to heavy rainfall ahead of #CycloneNivar's landfall pic.twitter.com/BuB6WSFoF5

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Cyclone Nivar Helpline | The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued 24x7 emergency numbers to lodge complaints regarding the issues caused due to the Cyclone -- 044 2538 4530;  044 2538 4530; 044 2538 4540 or 1913.

Andhra CM Asks Officials to Remain Alert | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked officials to be on high alert when storm crosses the coast. The CM held a review meeting with the District Collectors and SPs regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. During the meeting, Reddy said although the cyclone is not going to touch Andhra Pradesh directly, it would have impact in areas closer to Tamil Nadu. He said the inclement weather would prevail on Tuesday and Wednesday and the to-be affected areas should be prepared.

• Nellore, Chittoor, some parts of Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur districts and coastal areas of Prakasam, are likely to receive 11-20 cm of rainfall, he said, adding that winds with speeds 65 to 75 km/hr are expected.

• The Chief Minister said measures should be taken to protect crops and information should be sent to farmers through Rytu bharosa Kendras-RBKs. He said farmers should be made aware on how to protect their harvested crops.

• The Chief Minister said ponds may leak due to heavy rains, for which precautionary measures should be taken.

Cyclone Nivar Updates | Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai Director says Cyclone Nivar lays 350 km SE of Chennai, moving NW and likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm and cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram today late evening or night. While crossing wind speed likely to touch 145 kmph, he said.

#CycloneNivar lays 350 km SE of Chennai moving NW & likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm & cross between Karaikal & Mahabalipuram today late evening or night. While crossing wind speed likely to touch 145 kmph: Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai pic.twitter.com/WNfaA1UF8n

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

The administration has taken necessary precautions to release the water in phases and avert flooding, as in 2015, in the event of upsurge in the storage levels, a senior PWD department official said.

People from Low-lying Puducherry Areas Evacuated: CM | Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said today that the central control room operating from State Disaster Management Control Room would provide help to the public. "People from low lying areas evacuated. They will be provided with food, water, hand sanitisers and face masks. The fishermen advised not to venture into the sea," he said.

Central control room operating from State Disaster Management Control Room to provide help to the public. People from low lying areas evacuated. They will be provided with food, water, hand sanitisers & face masks. The fishermen advised not to venture into the sea: Puducherry CM pic.twitter.com/x4g7Sfis9p

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Visuals from Mamallapuram:

#WATCH Visuals from Mamallapuram; #CycloneNivar is likely to cross between Mamallapuram and Karaikal during midnight today and early hours of 26th November, as per IMD#TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/zOoTJKb9gA

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Kiran Bedi Asks People to Move to Safer Places | Puducherry LG Kiran Bedi asked people today to move to safer places ahead of the Cyclone Nivar, set to hit the state and Tamil Nadu later today.

Appealing to the people of Puducherry to stay indoors and move to safer places to brace the impending cyclone today. @BhallaAjay26 @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/nVDraWf1Zp

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) November 25, 2020

Chembarambakkam Lake to Let out Water at Noon Today | The Chembarambakkam reservoir is to let out a 1,000 cusecs of water at noon today, after the approaching Cyclone Nivar brought heavy rainfall to Chennai.

Storm Influenced Rain leads to Traffic Congestion | Several roads and intersections witnessed traffic congestion and waterlogging here on Tuesday in view of the intermittent rains influenced by the cyclonic storm 'Nivar.' The government, meanwhile, said following better storage in city's reservoirs, drinking water supply in the metropolis is set to be increased effective Wednesday. Anna Salai, GST Road and Kathipara junction were among the locations that witnessed traffic snarls and several places came under sheets of water and vehicles moved at a slow pace.

Rains Lash Chennai | Rain lashes Chennai, Tamil as Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram later today. Chennai/Meenambakkam received 120 mm rainfall from 8:30 pm yesterday till 5:30 am today, as per the India Meteorological Department, ANI reports.

Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes Chennai as #CycloneNivar is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram later today

Chennai/Meenambakkam received 120 mm rainfall from 0830 hours yesterday till 0530 hours today, as per India Meteorological Department pic.twitter.com/04PVft591E

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

NCMC Reviews Preparedness | The chief secretaries of the three states, directors general of India Meteorological Department and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) briefed the NCMC about their preparedness and mentioned that the authorities are fully prepared to meet any eventuality. The chief of the NDRF said so far 30 teams of the force have been deployed in the three states, while 20 more teams have been kept on standby for immediate deployment. A team of NDRF comprises of about 40 personnel. The NCMC was also informed that about 15 districts of the three states are expected to hit by the cyclone and several thousand people living along the coastline have been shifted to shelter houses, the spokesperson said.

NCMC Reviews Preparedness for Very Severe Cyclone Nivar | The NCMC on Tuesday took stock of the status of the "very severe cyclonic storm" 'Nivar' that is expected to hit coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday, and assure the states of all possible help, including the early release of disaster relief fund. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, also directed all concerned to continue work aiming at zero loss of life and early restoration of normalcy in the affected areas that include power and telecommunications networks, an official spokesperson said. The NCMC reviewed the status of impending cyclone Nivar at a meeting held through video conferencing with the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

WATCH | All You Need to Know About Cyclone Nivar that Will Hit Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Sea Rough in Puducherry | A rough sea was witnessed in Puducherry as severe cyclonic storm Nivar is set to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram tonight.

#WATCH Sea rough in Puducherry as severe cyclonic storm #NIVAR to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram tonight pic.twitter.com/d6Wpkj6zwe

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Heavy Rain Lashes Kanchipuram in TN | Heavy rain lashes Kanchipuram as Cyclone Nivar is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram later today, ANI reports.

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain lashes Kanchipuram as #CycloneNivar is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram later today pic.twitter.com/3sNbhU3ri3

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

Here's the Latest Update from the IMD:

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

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

Besides strong winds, the cyclone is also expected to bring heavy rains. The IMD has issued red alert for coastal and north interior Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for November 25.

Indigo Cancels Flights Due to Cyclone Nivar | Due to Cyclone Nivar, IndiGo flights to or from in the southern region, mainly Chennai, have been disrupted. "Forty-nine flights that were scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled. We will monitor the situation and decide on the further course of action for November 26," said IndiGo.

Puducherry CM Holds Review Meeting | Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy held a review meeting to take stock of disaster preparedness as Cyclone Nivar approaches the state.

Puducherry: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy held review meeting to take stock of the preparedness in view of #CycloneNivar. pic.twitter.com/3uAR85pZ7D

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

Cyclone Nivar Likely to Intensify in Next 12 Hours | In an update, the IMD stated at 3.00 am IST that the Cyclone Nivar has intensified into a severe Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 11:30 on November 24 over southwest Bay of Bengal. It is about 310 km of Cuddalore and is very likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hrs.

#CycloneNivar intensified into Severe Cyclonic Storm & lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 24th November over southwest Bay of Bengal. It is about 310 km of Cuddalore & is very likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hrs: India Meteorological Dept pic.twitter.com/bbNUsK06UG

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020