Section 144 in Puducherry, public holiday in Tamil Nadu as the east coast braces for massive Cyclone Nivar

The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the state braces for the cross over of Cyclone Nivar late in the evening on November 25. As per the government order, only essential services will continue to operate tomorrow.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms over coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 24 and November 26, over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 25 and 26 and southeast Telangana on November 26 in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

The IMD has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while a yellow alert has been issued for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet, assured Tamil Nadu, Puducherry all possible support from centre. The cyclone is likely to arrive with winds gusting at up to 120 km per hour.

PM Modi said he had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasami. “Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas,” he tweeted.

“Deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm — NIVAR over south-west Bay of Bengal — (Cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts – Yellow Message),” the India Meteorological Department tweeted.
Officials are preparing for possible damage like trees being uprooted, power supply disruption, communication lines being snapped and roofs being blown away. Tidal waves about a metre high are likely to flood low-lying areas.