22:24 November 24
Nivar to intensify into severe cyclonic storm in next six hours: IMD
According to the latest update by the IMD, cyclonic storm 'NIVAR' over southwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards about 320 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 350 km southeast of Puducherry and 410 km east southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next six hours, the IMD said.
20:51 November 24
Three flights from Chennai cancelled
"Due to Cyclone Nivar, flights to and from Chennai airport may get affected. As of now, three flights from Chennai airport stand cancelled. The airport has set up a control room where airlines, state administration and MET dept are coordinating for smooth operations," the Chennai airport said in a statement.
20:17 November 24
Chennai Metro to run between 7 am-10 pm tomorrow
Chennai Metro train services will run with 'Holiday Train services' timetable tomorrow with service hours from 7 am to 10 pm with the headway of every 10 minutes.
19:35 November 24
Don't panic, trust only news from IMD: Balachandran
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, S Balachandran, Deputy Director General of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai said, "We are constantly monitoring the Cyclone. So far, there is no change in its path. It has now turned into severe cyclone. It is now 420 kilometres away south-southeast Chennai and 370 KM away east-southeast of Pondicherry. For next three days there will be heavy rainfall with heavy wind. People need not to get panic. They should trust only official news from IMD."
19:35 November 24
Cyclone Nivar likely to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm: IMD DG
Cyclone Nivar is expected to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on the late evening of November 25, IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had initially predicted that Cyclone Nivar was likely to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' but has now estimated that it will intensify further.
"Our forecast is it will intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by (Tuesday) tonight. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during 25th November late evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kilometres per hour gusting to 145 kmph," Mohapatra said.
18:14 November 24
Nivar to cross coast as severe cyclonic storm: IMD
Cyclone Nivar is expected to cross the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on November 25 evening as a severe cyclonic storm.
The IMD said that the cyclone will cross as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
"The severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry by tomorrow evening. Under the influence of this cyclone, rainfall is expected to continue up to 27th November in Tamil Nadu," S Balachandran, IMD Chennai said.
17:58 November 24
Heavy downpour in Chennai, normalcy hit
As Chennai and its adjoining areas witnessed heavy downpour ahead of Cyclone Nivar's projected landfall, normalcy in the city was hit. The city received more than eight CM rainfall since last night. Only essential services are allowed to function in the city and the entire disaster management team is in high alert.
17:43 November 24
22 NDRF teams deployed, eight more on standby
In view of cyclone Nivar, the NDRF has deployed multiple teams across Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, and Puducherry.
"12 teams positioned in Tamil Nadu, two teams in Puducherry and one team in Karaikal. Three teams positioned in Nellore and one team in Chittoor. Three teams pre-positioned in Visakhapatnam. Total 22 teams available on the ground and eight teams on standby. Total 30 teams committed," NDRF DG SN Pradhan said.
17:40 November 24
Six special trains of TVM division cancelled
Six special trains of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways, have been cancelled on November 25 in view of the IMD forecast of cyclonic storm Nivar making landfall over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.
Trains which have been cancelled are:
17:36 November 24
North Tamil Nadu districts most vulnerable: IMD DG
Addressing a press conference, IMD DG Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, "Extremely heavy rainfall expected in coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu districts on November 25. The most vulnerable zone is north Tamil Nadu districts."
17:33 November 24
Statewide public holiday in Tamil Nadu tomorrow
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami declared a statewide public holiday tomorrow (November 25) as Cyclone Nivar is expected to cross Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during late evening tomorrow.
17:30 November 24
People asked to shift from low-lying areas in Cuddalore
"People living in low lying vulnerable areas asked to shift to cyclone shelters. In every block/panchayat, zonal teams positioned which can be mobilised clearing of roads, setting up of electricity poles etc," Disaster Monitoring Zonal Officer, Cuddalore said.
17:23 November 24
Rahul asks Cong workers to provide assistance to those in need
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked all party workers to assist those in need.
"Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures. I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need. Stay indoors, stay safe," Gandhi said in a tweet.
17:00 November 24
Navy teams ready for deployment
The Indian Navy in a statement said that five flood relief teams and a diving team are ready for deployment at Chennai.
"One flood relief team each are also on standby at Naval Detachment Nagapattinam, Rameswaram, and air station INS Parundu, while INS Jyoti has been deployed with HADR brick and diving teams along Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast," the Navy said.
16:56 November 24
Andhra Pradesh CM holds meeting with collectors
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy today held a virtual meeting with the Collectors of Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapuramu, Nellore and Prakasam districts over the cyclone Nivar threat.
15:29 November 24
Andhra Pradesh braces for Nivar, dispatches SDRF, NDRF teams to Nellore
With heavy rain expected over parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema owing to Nivar cyclone, the Andhra Pradesh government alerted all district officials and dispatched National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF teams to Nellore," said disaster management commissioner K. Kannababu.
As the Bay of Bengal sea is expected to be rough under the influence of the depression, Kannababu advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.
He also advised caution to people living on the coastal and low lying areas, including paddy farmers harvesting their crops.
15:06 November 24
Tamil Nadu braces for cyclone Nivar', public transport halted
Chennai (Tamil Nadu): With cyclone Nivar projected to make its landfall in the next 24 hours, the state government has suspended bus services in seven districts including Chennai.
Fisherfolk from both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been advised to reach the nearest fishing ports and harbours for their safety.
Trains which traverse through districts vulnerable to the approaching severe cyclonic storm, have also been suspended from Tuesday morning by the Southern Railway.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring union territory Puducherry has imposed a curfew under Section 144 of the CrPC between 9 pm on Tuesday (Nov 24) to 6 am on Thursday (Nov 26), to mitigate the cyclone's landfall. Only emergency services would be available during the period.
Six scheduled trains from the Union Terrritory have also been suspended due to the threat of the cyclone.
The cyclone is expected to gain strength into the 'Severe Cyclone' category by Wednesday. As per the MET department, the wind speed around coastal areas may range from 95 kilometres to 110 kilometres on Wednesday. The IMD has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while a yellow alert has been issued for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Read:Deep depression off Tamil Nadu intensifies into cyclonic storm
Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are on high alert and senior IAS, IPS officers deployed to weather out the cyclone minimising the havoc it may wreak. The coastal districts like Cuddalore, Karaikkal, Nagapattinam, Villupuram, and Kancheepuram are expected to receive very heavy rainfall in next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, delta districts like Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, and Pudukottai may also receive heavy rainfall.