Changing its course instead of making landfall late this evening as predicted earlier, Cyclone Nivar which has intensified into a “severe cyclonic storm” is hurling towards southeast coast.
According to the forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Nivar is set to cross the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as a “very severe cyclonic storm” late on Wednesday.
Besides declaring a holiday, ban on public gatherings, closing shops and mobilising thousands of rescue personnel, the authorities of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed as many as 30 rescue teams including 20 team on stand-by.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, while people in coastal areas are also being evacuated to shelter houses. Southern Railway has cancelled a few train services and inter and intra bus-services, including those of private buses, have been suspended in seven districts of Tamil Nadu.
With parts of Andhra Pradesh falling under the cyclone effect, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sounded an alert and instructed the state machinery to be prepared. Nellore district collector has issued instructions to close all schools for three days from today till November 27, according to Nellore DEO.
