Cyclone Nivar likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm; NDRF teams deployed in TN & AP

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that Cyclone Nivar is presently concentrated at 370 Kilometer East South-eastwards of Puducherry. It is expected to move West-North Westwards for next 12 hours and then North Westwards to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram.

IMD Director General Dr Mohapatra said that the cyclone is likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm by tonight and tomorrow morning into a very severe cyclonic storm. He said, Cyclone Nivar was formed at a Low Pressure area of Eastern Indian Ocean and South East Bay of Bengal on Nov 21 and further developed into low pressure area on Nov 22 and then developed into a depression yesterday and into a cyclonic storm in the early hours today.

Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), S N Pradhan said that it is keeping a 24 hour close watch on Cyclone Nivar and is coordinating with Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. He said, NDRF teams are also available there. He said, in view of the current COVID scenario, NDRF is well equipped with appropriate kits and it will take all the precautions and work according to a proper protocol.

All steps are being taken to meet challenge of cyclone “Nivar” which is likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry tomorrow late evening. As the cyclone comes closer to the coast, Puducherry its suburbs and Karaikal started experiencing rainfall since, early this morning.

The District administration is being geared up to meet the challenge of cyclone “Nivar”. Prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC has been clamped in Puducherry district in view of the ‘Nivar” cyclone.