cyclone effect

Cyclone Vardah starts crossing near Chennai THE HINDU Dec. 11 2016 18:00 Cyclonic storm Vardah, now a severe cyclonic storm, is crossing north of Chennai. It is likely to cross completely by 6 pm on Monday. The landfall will be accompanied by strong winds at the speed of 80 to 90 kmph and heavy to very heavy rainfall, an IMD release said. Chennai has come to a stand still, with suburban rail services completely suspended, runways shut and limited buses plying on roads due to water stagnations - a grim reminder of last year's floods. But the Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu government have taken precautions. NDRF teams are on stand by. People in low-lying areas are being evacuated and unprooted trees are being removed, despite heavy rains. Chennai recorded six centimeters rainfall since 8:30 am. Helplines Chennai Corporation Whatsapp - 94454 77207, 94454 77203, 94454 77206 , 94454 77201, 94454 77205 Chennai Corporation Helplines - 25619206, 25619511 , 25384965 ,25383694, 25367823, 25387570 Updates: 1.40 p.m. The Indian Navy has 30 diving teams standing by. Navy tweet 1:04 p.m. The cyclone has started crossing from north of Chennai. The wind speed may decrease in next half an hour and again pick up speed after 2.30 pm. It may take 6 pm for the entire cyclone to cross, says S.P Thampi, deputy director general of meteorology, Chennai. Chennai Cyclone Helpline: 04425619206; 25619511; 25384965; 25383694; 25367823;25387570 and 9445477207/203/206 12:56 p.m. The tidal wave of about one meter height above the astronomical tide is very likely to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh during the time of landfall, says an IMD forecast. 12:45 p.m. Strong winds and heavy rainfall in Chennai. Visuals from Chennai Airport embed airport ani 12:43 p.m. The Navy has moved two ships INS Shivalik and Kadmatt out at sea near Chennai to provide assistance. 12:42 p.m. It is reported that the glasses on window panes of Met Department in Chennai have broken due to gusty winds. 12:40 p.m. Great Danger signal 8 has been hoisted at Cuddalore, Great Danger signal 7 at Krishnampatnam port. The wind speed was recorded as 90-100 km/hr in these ports. For Chennai, Ennore at Kattupalli ports very great danger 10 remains. 12.25 p.m. The National Disaster Management Authority has tweeted that the nuclear plant in Kalpakkam is safe. NDMA tweet 12:15 p.m. Latest IMD update Very Severe Cyclonic storm 'VARDAH' located about 50 km east-northeast of Chennai at 1130 IST. To cross coast close to Chennai by today afternoon with wind speed of 100-110 kmph. The Chennai Metro Rail Services has announced it will suspend its service if wind speed is above 90kmph. 12:00 noon Tamil Nadu government has asked people of Ennore and Palaverkadu to evacuate. 11:45 a.m. Flights cancelled Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said. Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway despite heavy rains. An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said. 11:35 a.m. About 113 ambulances are kept at high alert in Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts. A team of electrical wood cutters also kept in stand by, reports Zubeda Hamid. 11:32 a.m. Rains, though in the form of cyclonic storm, may bring cheer to the water-starved Chennai residents. But Krishna district farmers are a worried lot. Here is why: Cyclone Vardah: Krishna district farmers worried over early rain 11:25 a.m. All Chennai suburban services suspended All EMU and MEMU suburban trains that ply in four routes, Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu, Chennai Central/Beach-Sulurpetta, Chennai Central/Beach-Arakkonam, and Chennai Beach-Velachery have been suspended until further notice. For d