Nivar cyclone: Rescue teams geared up as cyclonic storm intensifies

Chennai

Buckling up to weather the literal storm, Indian Army has deputed 14 teams and they are prepared in getting into rescue efforts both in Chennai and Trichy, Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar briefed the press.

Nivar Cyclone is said to be 250 kilometres away from Chennai as per the reports on 5:50 PM.

The cyclonic storm was first predicted to cross the state and Puducherry through Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday noon, but Nature had other plans.

Nivar getting intensified into a severe cyclonic storm is now forecasted to cross between Wednesday midnight and early hours of Thursday.

It has been raining heavily for two days across several Tamil Nadu districts and Puducherry, throwing hammer at the daily lives of people which has already been hampered by covid-19 for the most of 2020. With the storm intensifying, it is predicted that downpour would continue for two more days in the aftermath.

Many low lying areas in the city are in deluge due to the phased opening of sluice gates of Chembarambakkam lake. 3000 cusecs of water has been freed till now.

The disaster also saw cancellation of trains, both suburban and intrastate trains, bus commutation too has come to a standstill.

Nivar is said to have been moving at the speed of 16 kmph enroute its landfall.

In the wake of this disaster, the 14 army crew consists 10 soldiers apiece and also eight helicopters have been deputed, in addition to this Coast Guard and Navy too are joining the rescue efforts.