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Cyclone Vardah: As it happened

Very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' claimed four lives, flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw into disarry rail, road and air traffic in Tamil Nadu.
 

Pic courtesy: @NDRFHQ
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Chennai/Amrawati: Very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah', the most intense to have hit the Tamil Nadu capital in two decades, claimed four lives, flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw into disarry rail, road and air traffic on Monday as it crossed the coast here, pounding Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with heavy rain and squall.

Following are the updates:
 

12 December 2016
22:38 PM
22:36 PM
21:52 PM
21:49 PM

Rs 4 lakh each will be given to persons who died due to Cyclone Vardah from the state disaster relief fund, says Tamil Nadu CM Panneerselvam.

21:42 PM
21:40 PM
20:37 PM
20:37 PM
19:55 PM

Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to remain shut on Tuesday.

19:55 PM
19:52 PM
19:48 PM
19:47 PM
19:34 PM

Two fishermen go missing off Kakinada in Andhra, Coast Guard says it has deployed ship for search and rescue operations, as per PTI.

19:33 PM
19:07 PM
19:06 PM
18:35 PM

Winds and Rains might still intensify, do not venture out, warns National Disaster Management Authority.

18:16 PM
18:15 PM

Cyclone Vardah shows signs of weakening, to turn into 'cyclonic storm' in next 3-4 hours, says IMD.

Also Read - From Roanu, Hud Hud, Aila to Vardah – Here's how cyclones are named

18:08 PM

Services at Chennai Airport suspended till 2100 hours.

18:08 PM

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam.

17:10 PM

8008 people accommodated in 95 relief camps, says National Disaster Management Authority.

Also ReadCyclone Vardah: Safety tips for residents – The dos and dont's!

17:09 PM

DG CISF directs Chief Airport Security Officer to conduct a damage assessment exercise after Cyclone hit Chennai Airport.

17:07 PM

Flight operations suspended at Chennai airport till 8 pm.

17:07 PM
17:03 PM
17:02 PM
16:36 PM

Tamil Nadu: Army personnel conduct rescue and relief operations in Chennai as heavy rainfall and strong winds lash the city 

 

 

16:36 PM

Preventive measures already taken, enough of advisory issued; people to get affected evacuated: Harsh Vardhan, Union Science & Tech. Min

16:26 PM

Expected point of landfall - Crossing coast near Chennai: National Disaster Management Authority

Entire landfall process will be completed during next 1-2 hours but conditions to remain rough even after that: NDMA

 

16:23 PM

Tamil Nadu: Trees uprooted, damage caused as heavy rains and strong winds lash Mahabalipuram town in Kancheepuram district.

Also ReadCyclone Vardah: Here's what landfall is...

 

16:23 PM

Some trees and electric poles have fallen due to that, NDRF has begun its operations to clear this: RK Pachnanda (DG, NDRF)

16:23 PM

The landfall was at Pulicat (Tamil Nadu) followed by strong winds: RK Pachnanda (DG, NDRF)

16:23 PM

Complete landfall to take another couple of hours.Conditions to remain severe between Chennai & Nellore: K.G.Ramesh, DG IMD

16:21 PM

Ship that was sent to rescue two fishermen off Kakinada (AP) couldn't reach them due to rough sea: AP Coast guard DIG Haribola

16:21 PM

Chennai Suburban network suspended till further notice. Some trains from and to Chennai diverted and cancelled: Railway Minister

16:21 PM

Andhra Pradesh: Trees uprooted as heavy rains and strong winds lash Tada village

 

16:16 PM

WATCH: Heavy rainfall and storm lashes Chennai city as Cyclone Vardah makes a landfall; trees uprooted, vehicles damaged in many parts

15:42 PM

Complete landfall to take another couple of hours. Conditions to remain severe between Chennai and Nellore, says KG Ramesh, DG IMD

15:27 PM

Rail services heavily disrupted in Chennai as rains lash city due to cyclonic storm vardah

15:27 PM

WATCH: Heavy rains and strong winds lash Tada village of Andhra Pradesh

15:27 PM

Northern prong of cyclone hit North of Chennai 20 mins back. Heavy rains and high speed winds expected to continue fr next 8-12 hrs

15:25 PM

Wind speed at present around 100-110 km/hour. Chennai recorded maximum wind speed of 192 Km/hour: M Mahapatra, ADG MeT Dept #cyclonevardah

15:06 PM

Chennai Suburban railway network suspended till further notice. Some trains reaching and leaving Chennai diverted and cancelled: ADG(PR) Railways

Chennai division of southern railway badly affected: Senior officials camping at stations and control room: ADG(PR) Railways, Anil Saxena

 

 

15:06 PM

Chennai Suburban railway network suspended till further notice. Some trains reaching and leaving Chennai diverted and cancelled: ADG(PR) Railways

Chennai division of southern railway badly affected: Senior officials camping at stations and control room: ADG(PR) Railways, Anil Saxena

 

 

15:06 PM

7357 people have been evacuated in Tamil Nadu 

15:06 PM

Reportedly, 9,400 people have been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh

15:01 PM

Deployed 6 teams in AP, 7 in TN, can handle any situation. Shifted people to safer places and educated them abt precautions: Santosh Kumar, NDRF

 

15:01 PM

Heavy rainfall likely to continue until next 36 hours due to Cyclonic strong Vardah

14:53 PM

Cyclone Vardah makes landfall in Chennai; landfall would be complete in 4 hours

14:03 PM

Cyclone vardah's distance from Chennai - 50 KM. Expected landfall around between 2-5 PM.

14:03 PM

Government of India, State government and related agencies are on alert: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on #cyclonevardah

14:02 PM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation through teleconference with top officials

13:58 PM

Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh during next 36 hours: AP CM

 

13:58 PM

Food and other essential commodities have been kept ready in adequate quantities: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu 

 

13:56 PM

In addition to 10 diving teams embarked on IN Ships Shivalik & Kadmatt, 6 diving teams readied up for immediate deployment

13:56 PM

Naval aircraft also standing-by at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to be pressed into action to augment HADR opertations: Navy

 

13:56 PM

One Survey ship has been kept standby to undertake harbour survey in case of requirement: Navy 

12:53 PM

All operations at the Chennai airport suspended till 3 PM Monday 

 

12:53 PM

Tamil Nadu CM O. Panneerselvam reviewed government agencies preparedness to face Cyclone Vardah

12:53 PM

7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely so far, says Tamil Nadu government 

12:40 PM

7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely so far, says Tamil Nadu government 

12:40 PM

Reportedly, the windspeed of Cyclone Vardah is 100-120 kmph

12:40 PM

Reportedly, the windspeed of Cyclone Vardah is 100-120 kmph

12:29 PM

Tidal wave will be one meter high, people arecadvised to be in safe places and stick to instructions given by government, says MeT department

12:29 PM

Massive uprooting of trees reported, Cyclone Vardah likely to make landfall by 1330 hrs: Navy chief PRO captain DK Sharma

 

12:19 PM

North region of Tamil Nadu and South of Andhra expected to receive heavy rainfall and wind: S Balachandran, MeT Director

12:16 PM

"All precautions have been taken at Nuclear Plant-Kalpakkam to face Cyclone Vardah. All is well and plant operation is normal. The plant is in touch with IMD," tweets NDMA

12:13 PM

The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the amy, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required.

12:05 PM

Cyclone Vardah lying now 87 kms east of Bay of Bengal, moving in westward direction, expected to make land fall close to Chennai between 2-4 PM, says Met department

 

12:05 PM

Due to cyclonic weather over Chennai airport, flights are diverted and departures are delayed.

12:05 PM

WATCH: Heavy rainfall and storm in Meenambakkam,Chennai (Tamil Nadu) due to Cyclone Vardah

11:47 AM

People living in Ennore and Palaverkadu have been asked to evacuate by Tamil Nadu Government.

11:47 AM

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall and storm in Meenambakkam, Chennai 

11:47 AM

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall and storm in Meenambakkam, Chennai 

11:47 AM

25 flights diverted from Chennai due to Cyclone Vardah

 

11:01 AM

Cyclone Vardah likely to make landfall between 2-5 PM; landfall between Chennai and Nellore

10:42 AM

Heavy rains coupled with squally winds on Monday lashed the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, as very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' was expected to make landfall this afternoon.

10:37 AM

Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along and off south AndhraPradesh, north TamilNadu and Puducherry coasts during next 36 hrs.

10:13 AM

For those caught in Cyclone Vardah in Chennai, Puducherry and Cuddalore

10:12 AM

If a cyclone alert is issue, don't panic; prepare yourself: NDMA

09:59 AM

HELPLINE NUMBERS

09:59 AM

People are advised to remain in safe places and cooperate with state government officials and disaster management agencies: NDMA

09:47 AM

Wind warning: Currently, wind speed is 50-60 kmph; during landfall it will be 100-110 kmph. Storm surge: About 1 metre height: NDMA

09:26 AM

Andhra Pradesh: Four teams have been deployed in Nellore. We are fully equipped and prepared: Pawan Kumar, Sub Inspector, NDRF on Vardah

 

09:21 AM

There are 6 teams in Andhra Pradesh and 8 teams in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: SP Selvan, DIG NDRF

 

09:21 AM

There will be heavy rains during day time. Wind speed is likely to be high but as the day progress it may reduce: DIG NDRF

09:21 AM

The system is very likely to move nearly westwards & weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra coasts: NDMA 

09:21 AM

Cyclonic storm vardah lays over west central and southwest Bay of Bengal;  it moved further nearly west-southwest-wards during past 06 hrs.

09:21 AM

Rain lashes Chennai: MeT says Cyclone Vardah is moving westward towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai this afternoon

 

09:17 AM

We have sufficient standby reserves at Arakkonam. Closely in touch with state Govt authorities, and with other agencies like IMD: DG, NDRF

 

09:17 AM

For Tamil Nadu, we've prepositioned 3 teams in Chennai, 2 in Kanchipuram, 2 in Tiruvallur, one team on its way to Puducherry: DG, NDRF 

 

 

09:17 AM

During the next 36 hours, rainfall would occur at many places over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Chennai,Tiruvallur: S Balachandran

 

 

09:17 AM

It is moving westwards direction towards Chennai, likely to cross near Chennai by this afternoon: S Balachandran, MeT Director  

 

09:16 AM

The very severe cyclonic storm vardah is now lying at about 180 kms east of Chennai: S Balachandran, MeT Director

09:05 AM

Authorities on Sunday sounded a high alert in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm Vardah over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a "very severe" one.

09:02 AM

Naval aircraft are also standing by at the naval air stations at Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.

On Friday, the forces evacuated over 2,300 tourists, including a dozen foreigners, by air and sea from Andaman & Nicobar islands, which was hit by the cyclone.

09:02 AM

The Eastern Naval Command is closely monitoring the developments and the Flag Officer - Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area is in constant communication with the sate administration to augment rescue and relief operations.