Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday spoke to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead of the impending cyclone that is expected to cross into the state and union territory today.
“Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM E Panneerselvam and Puducherry CM V Narayanasami regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas,” the PM tweeted.
Earlier on Monday, Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the status of impending cyclone through video conferencing with the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The cabinet secretary had told the officials that the crisis management committee is aiming at “zero loss of life” and early restoration of normalcy in the affected areas. He has ordered strict implementation of the advisories. Fishermen are not to venture into the sea.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry yesterday warned the cyclone is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and is centred about 380km east by southeast of Puducherry and 430km southeast of Chennai.
Sharing the information based on inputs received from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the ministry said the cyclone is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry today evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110kmph gusting to 120kmph.
“A close watch is being kept over the system,” it said.
The ministry said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) headquarters and commandants of battalions located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are in co-ordination with the respective state authorities.
A man walks under an umbrella during heavy rains as cyclone Nivar approaches the eastern coast, in Chennai yesterday.
