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Cyclone Vardah: Tamil Nadu recovers, 10 killed

by IBNS 13 Dec 2016, 08:50 am

Chennai, Dec 13 (IBNS): Tamil Nadu is attempting to recover from the shock after Cyclone Vardah hit close to Chennai on Monday, killing at least 10 people, reports said.

Heavy rains lashed the coast in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh after the cyclone hit close to the southern city.

The high velocity of wind uprooted many trees and structures, reports said.

More than 16,000 people in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated as the cyclone is likely to have a major impact respectively in the northern and southern parts of the states.

The met office had earlier predicted isolated heavy to very heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is very likely during next 24 hrs.

Directing fishermen, the department said :"Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along & off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during next 24 hrs. Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places."

In view of development of cyclone Vardah over Bay of Bengal, 19 flood rescue teams of NDRF have been prepositioned in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu as a proactive deployment.

Eight flood rescue teams comprising of more than 250 rescuers, equipped with 23 Inflatable Rubber Boats (IRBs) and communication equipment have been pre-positioned at coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.

One team each has been pre-positioned at Ongole, district- Prakasam and Vishakhapatnam, 2 teams at Sri Kala Hasti, district Chittoor. 4 teams have been pre-positioned at Sullurupeta, Nellore and Tada block areas of Nellore district.

"Eleven flood rescue teams comprising of 428 rescuers, equipped with 48 Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRBs) and communication equipment have been pre-positioned in low lying parts of Tamil Nadu. 01 team each has been pre-positioned at Mabalipuram and Tambram (district- Kanchipuram), 02 teams are at Chennai, 03 teams are at Tiruvallur. 03 teams are en-route to NDRF base Arrakonam from NDRF base Pune. In addition, 01 team is at Puducherry district," read a government statement.

Some additional teams are kept on standby and shall be mobilized as per demand.

DG, NDRF is closely monitoring the situation round the clock. NDRF Control Room in Delhi is in touch with IMD and local state administration.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed solidarity with the people in the area.

"My prayers are with all those people who are affected due to adverse weather conditions caused by #CycloneVardah. Stay safe," Modi tweeted.