Cyclone Vardah: As it happened

Manisha Singh Dec 13, 2016, 00:15 AM IST,

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.

Latest Updates

  • 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.

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

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

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

  • 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

  • Services at Chennai Airport suspended till 2100 hours.

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

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

    Also Read - Cyclone Vardah: Safety tips for residents – The dos and dont's!

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

  • Flight operations suspended at Chennai airport till 8 pm.

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

     

     

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

  • 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

     

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

    Also Read - Cyclone Vardah: Here's what landfall is...

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

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

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

     

     

  • 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

     

     

  • 7357 people have been evacuated in Tamil Nadu 

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

  • 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

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

     

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

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

     

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

  • All operations at the Chennai airport suspended till 3 PM Monday 

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

  • Safety tip by NDMA

  • "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

  • 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.

  • 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

     

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

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

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

  • Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall and storm in Meenambakkam, Chennai 

  • Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall and storm in Meenambakkam, Chennai 

  • 25 flights diverted from Chennai due to Cyclone Vardah

     

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

  • 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.

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

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

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

  • HELPLINE NUMBERS

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

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

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

     

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

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  • 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

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

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

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

     

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

     

  • 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 

     

     

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

     

     

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

     

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines and blankets, among other things, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5,000 people.

    "Additionally, 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at a short notice," the navy said.

  • "All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand," the Indian Navy said.

  • "In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, the Eastern Naval Command has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance," said an Indian Navy statement.

     

  • The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is all geared up to carry out relief operations, as cyclone 'Vardah' is likely to make landfall near Chennai on Monday, the Indian Navy said on Sunday.
     

  • It said the sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off south Odisha coast and moderate to rough along and off north Odisha coast.

     

  • "Strong and gusty surface wind from northeasterly direction with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off south Odisha coast and from northeasterly direction with speed reaching 30 to 35 kmph gusting to 45 kmph along and off north Odisha coast in next 48 hours," said the bulletin on Sunday.

  • The very severe cyclonic storm is centered over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 685 km south of Gopalpur, said a bulletin.

  • The India Meteorological Department has hoisted Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) at Paradeep and Gopalpur ports.

     

  • Met Department has asked the fishermen not to venture into the sea as the condition of sea would be rough.

  • Several parts of Odisha are likely to receive rain or thundershowers on Monday under the impact of very severe cyclonic storm Vardah, that has formed over the Bay of Bengal.

     

  • The rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (around 20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh on Monday, said weather officials.

  • As a result, heavy rainfall is predicted over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry starting Sunday evening for subsequent 36 hours.

  • According to the weather forecast, Vardah will cross the coast as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph by Monday afternoon.

     

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:
 

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