Tamil Nadu CM reviews 'Cyclone Vardah' preparations

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Monday reviewed the state government's preparation to counter 'Cyclone Vardah'.

The chief minister also requested the people not to venture out of their houses between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The state government has reportedly evacuated at least 7357 people to 54 relief centres.

As per army sources, seven army columns have been placed on standby to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile the Director of the Meteorological Department (MeT), S. Balachandran, said that the landfall in coastal area are expected to occur at around 2 pm and 4 pm.

"Vardah, which is lying 87 kilometres east of Bay of Bengal and moving in a westward direction, is expected to make a land fall close to Chennai between 2 to 4 pm," said Met director.

"North region of Tamil Nadu and South of Andhra expected to receive heavy rainfall and winds," he added.

Navy chief PRO Captain DK Sharma also said that the Cyclone Vardah is expected to make a landfall by 2.30 pm.

"Massive uprooting of trees are being reported, Cyclone Vardah is likely to make a landfall by 2:30 pm," Sharma said, adding that two ships of the Navy, Shivalik and Kadmatt are already deployed in north area to render immediate assistance if required.

'Cyclone Vardah' is centered over west central and adjoining Southewest Bay of Bengal at about 180 km east north east of Chennai and 250 km east southeast of Nellore.

The latest bulletin released by the meteorological department says the cyclone is likely to move west wards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra coast and is likely to cross the coasts, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph to 100 kmph by this afternoon.

At the time of the landfall, squally wind warning has been predicted for Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh.