Cyclone Nilam may devastate Chennai within hours

, Oct 31:

police asked citizens to stay indoor as Cyclone

is expected to hit coastal regions including Chennai around 4 pm on Wednesday, Oct 31. According to sources, Cyclone Nilam may devastate the city and its surrounding areas within hours.

According to the latest bulletin by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Nilam is likely to make landfall along a 350-km stretch of the coast between Puducherry in Tamil Nadu and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh at 6 pm.

Describing the ghastly affect of Nilam, IMD officials said, "The system would intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and move north-westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by this evening."

The officials also informed that areas surrounding the landfall area may witnesses heavy damage and also alerted people while advocating caution and preparedness to meet the situation.

The Chennai port on the southeast coast has stopped cargo operations after a cyclone warning. Schools and colleges remained shut in nine districts including Chennai.

Storm surge of about 1-1.5 metre over the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low lying areas of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Nellore districts which already have received heavy rains in the morning causing inconvenience to office-goers.

The Met office also advised total suspension of fishing operations and asked coastal dwellers to move to safer places.

Danger signals ranging from seven to five have been hoisted at Chennai, Ennore, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Puducherry ports.

OneIndia News