Worst over for Chennai as Cyclone Vardah passes, storm to move towards Karnataka

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Cyclone Vardah barrelled into the southeast coast on Monday, bringing down trees and power lines as authorities moved thousands of people from low-lying areas. Heavy rains lashed parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the fourth major cyclone to hit the country’s coast this year. By nightfall, the storm had passed over, and the intensity weakened.

A quick take of the cyclone that battered the coast for the better part of Monday.

1. The ‘eye of the storm’ -- the centre of the pressure system where mostly calm weather is found -- crossed Chennai late on Monday evening. The rest of the cyclone is expected to bring more rains and wind speed is expected to pick up.

2. According to latest reports, four people have died in Tamil Nadu - two in Chennai, one in Kancheepuram and one in Nagapattinam.

3. The cyclone is expected to reach Karnataka on Tuesday and pass through south Goa on Wednesday.

4. Chennai airport suspended operations, with domestic airlines notifying passengers through social media that flights in and out of Chennai were cancelled till Monday midnight. SriLankan Airlines also cancelled all Chennai-bound flights till Tuesday.

5. Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur will remain shut on Tuesday.

6. The Centre cautioned Tamil Nadu to maintain strict vigil at lakes in the districts expecting heavy rainfall. “Good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city,” Union ministry of water resources informed the state government.

7. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned people not to venture out as the rains and winds might intensify as the eastern part of the cyclone starts crossing.

8. Suburban rail services in Chennai have been suspended until further notice. Road transport was also effected but civic workers in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts brought out battery-run electric woodcutters to remove fallen trees and clear roads.

9. ‘Amma canteens’ will be open throughout Chennai on Monday and free food will be served. Milk supply in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts was not affected on Monday and will continue as usual on Tuesday.

10. A status report from the NDMA gives a comprehensive picture of the extent of the cyclone in numbers

Revenue admin report on #Vardah. 2 people dead so far @htTweets pic.twitter.com/0q3r6kOrFT

— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) December 12, 2016
 
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