In the wake of warning  of the arrival of a cyclonic storm (Cyclone Nivar) over Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast in the next 24 hours, six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Cuddalore and Chidambaram towns for pre-positioning on Monday. The National Crisis Management Committee has reviewed the status and preparations for Cyclone Nivar.

The IMD said, “The Depression over southwest and adjoining the southeast Bay of Bengal about 600 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 630 km south-southeast of Chennai. It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.”

Due to a well-marked low pressure over the southwest Bay of Bengal, a cyclonic storm is expected on the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast in the next 24 hours, the IMD had informed earlier today.

“The well-marked low pressure over southwest Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and move towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. It is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram by November 25 afternoon,” said S Balachandran, IMD Chennai.

“Fishermen are advised not to venture into Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of South Bay of Bengal on 22 November; over Southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar and along and off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts during 22 to 25 November,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin read.

The IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Chennai. The windspeed is expected to be at 100 to 110 Km per hour during landfall. Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the sea.

On Sunday, the IMD had said that the “very severe” cyclonic storm “GATI” over the southwest Arabian Sea has moved westwards. (ANI)

The author is a student member of amity centre of happiness