Cyclone Nivar, which intensified into very severe cyclonic storm before it slammed into India’s southern coast on early Thursday, led to the death of five people and uprooting of hundreds of trees and power lines in the region. The cyclone made landfall 30 kms north of Puducherry late last night bringing torrential rain and gusty winds with an estimated speed of 120-130 kmph going up to 145 kmph. Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
At least five people were killed in and around Chennai, over 1,00 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas were flooded following heavy rains in the union territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Subsequently, Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm and further into a deep depression by the afternoon. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and assured them all possible help from the Centre.
The cyclone led to snapping of overhead electricity cables in a few places and Chennai residents also complained of internet outages. Low lying neighbourhoods in Chennai, including those in suburban Irumbuliyur, Mudichur and Urapakkam, witnessed flooding and water entered the houses of many residents.
Rescue personnel ferried cooked food to the people using inflatable boats. The residents of some of the affected areas shifted to the homes of their relatives, while others continued to stay put battling the odds. Airport operations, Metrorail and bus transport, which were suspended due to the cyclone, resumed during the day.
Puducherry witnessed heavy rains and inundation in some parts, but there were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone. On Thursday noon, prohibitory orders, that had been in force in the union terrirory since November 24 to prevent movement and gathering of people,were lifted.
Meanwhile, the IMD said Nivar’s intensity had dropped to 85 to 95 kph (53 to 59 mph) and is expected to weaken further. Tamil Nadu is likely to receive another spell of very heavy rainfall as a fresh low pressure area is expected to form in the Bay of Bengal from November 29 onwards.
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from low-lying areas of Tamil Nadu ahead of the storm’s landfall, a state minister said on Wednesday.
The estimated loss to agriculture and other sectors due to cyclone Nivar has been tentatively put at Rs 400 crore and a full assessment is being made, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Thursday after visiting localities affected by the cyclonic storm when it made landfall in the early hours.
Paddy crops over an extent of 820 hectares besides vegetables on 200 hectares, sugarcane on 170 hectares, 55 hectares of banana crop and betel leaf cultivated on seven hectares had been severely hit by the torrential rains, the chief minister said. He expressed relief that ‘Nivar’ had caused no big loss and there was no loss of life.
With PTI inputs
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