Natural Disaster: Cyclone Nilam kills one in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Nov 1:

Nilam hit

coast near Mahabalipuram on Wednesday, Oct 31 as predicted by Met Department. One person has died due to

, said television reports.

Reports say a crew member of a stranded ship drowned after a life boat carrying him and 21 others capsized in choppy waters off Besant Nagar locality in south Chennai in high velocity winds just hours before the cyclone hit the coast.

A large-scale evacuation process was carried out by the government. Around 3,500 people have been evacuated from Mahabalipuram.

However, some good news are there for people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Met department bulletin says Nilam could weaken, with less rain expected in the next 24 hours. "Wind speeds went up to 100 kilometre per hour in some areas when the cyclone made landfall. Meanwhile, five coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh are still on alert," said an official of Met Department.

Reports say Cyclone Nilam led to rainfall at most places. Heavy to very heavy rainfall would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema during the next 48 hours, according to the Met department. Larger-than-usual tidal waves would inundate the low-lying areas of Nellore district, the sources added. The cyclone was expected to cause minor damage to power and communication lines, and also to the standing rice and groundnut crops.

School, colleges will be closed on Thursday. Police also informed about few emergency numbers available for 24X7 to help those who need any information or any help over cyclone Nilam.

Below are emergency numbers

044-26412646
044-28170738
044-24838968
044-24867725
044-22342355
044-24425961
044-22420600
044-24500923

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)