Tree clearing operations started early in Chennai

There were reports of trees falling across the city. Several trees got uprooted. However Corporation workers swung into action and started clearing trees from early morning. Revenue, civic and police authorities were on their toes coordinating and removing uprooted trees using heavy-duty motor equipment and backhoe loaders.

According to initial estimates, over 150 trees were uprooted in Tamil Nadu alone. Earlier, State Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar said there were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone which uprooted trees. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from some parts of Tamil Nadu, In the next six hours, the severe cyclonic storm will further weaken, he said.

Udhayakumar said there were no reports of loss of life or crop damage. "There is no loss of lives due to the rains. People have given us full cooperation," he said. "It's a solace that nothing untoward happened and the weakening of the cyclone is good news," he said. The minister said about 2.5 lakh people were housed in cyclone shelters in Tamil Nadu as part of safety measures.

Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu recorded the highest rainfall at 24.6 cm, followed by 23.7 cm in Puducherry from 8.30 PM on Wednesday till 2.30 am on Thursday. Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 8.6 cm and Chennai 8.9 cm during the same period.