High alert as Cyclone Vardah likely to hit TN, AP

The Cyclone Warning Centre or the CWC, Vishakapatanam says that the cyclonic storm lay centred at around 390km south-east of Nellore and 330km east of Chennai by Sunday evening.

Chennai, Dec 12: There is likely to be heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore and Tamil Naidu's Chennai as the cyclonic storm Varadha is set to make a land on Monday afternoon.

The Cyclone Warning Centre or the CWC, Vishakapatanam says that the cyclonic storm lay centred at around 390km south-east of Nellore and 330km east of Chennai by Sunday evening.

The CWC bulletin said, It is very likely to move westwards and move towards north Tamil Nadu and South Andhra coasts, before making a landfall at south Andhra coast close to Chennai by Monday afternoon.

Heavy rain are expected along the south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema region.

Moderate rainfall is expected at Prakasam, Guntur and Anantpur.

Gale winds with speeds reaching 90 kilometres per hour would hit Andhra Pradesh in Prakasam, Nellore and Tamil Nadu.

Strong surface wings from north-easterly direction with speed reaching up to 50 to 60 kmph would be there along north coastal Andhra.

On high alert:
The Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and state machineries of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert to carry out relief operations.

A statement by the navy read that there is a high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance.

All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand, the statement also read.

The administrations of both states too are on very high alert. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister, O Paneerselvam held a review meeting with the disaster management authority.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled his Gulf trip and held a teleconference with officials in the coastal districts.

The Tamil Nadu government has issued an advisory directing all schools and colleges in Chennai to remain closed.

The advisory also recommends that private companies employees stay home.

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