Cyclone Vardah: AP, TN, Puducherry on high alert

With the cyclonic storm Vardah set to make landfall between Sriharikota and Chennai this afternoon, a state of high alert has been maintained in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal coast in Nellore district were today evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rains due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm Vardah.

Meanwhile, the Centre today asked the Tamil Nadu government to keep a vigil in areas of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other reservoirs in view of heavy to very heavy rainfall coupled with cyclonic storm Vardah.

"With a rainfall forecast that the rainfall intensity will increase gradually becoming heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-19 cm) at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm) over Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city. As the lakes are not full, the inflows shall increase the levels in the reservoirs considerably. State government has been advised to maintain strict vigil at all the lakes in case of exceptionally heavy rainfall," Union Water Resources ministry said in a statement.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief R K Pachnanda said while eight teams are ready in various areas of Tamil Nadu, seven are in Andhra Pradesh, apart from few others in nearby locations. "Some more teams are on alert in Arrakonam and Guntur and they can be transported immediately in case they are required. We are in constant touch with the two state governments, the Indian Meteorological Department and other relief agencies," the NDRF Director General told PTI.

Evacuation in Andhra Pradesh

Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is camping in Nellore to oversee the rescue and relief operations, said Vakadu and Tada received 4.8 and 3 cm of rain, respectively, since today morning.

"We have already moved over 9,400 persons in seven vulnerable mandals to safety. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of people," he said. Earlier, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed the Nellore district administration to evacuate people in about 255 low-lying areas to safer places.

The holy Tirumala Hills have been receiving rainfall since last night, causing some hardship to devotees visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara. Temple Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao has directed the temple staff to make necessary arrangements for the comfort of the pilgrims in view of the inclement weather.

Fishermen rescued in Tamil Nadu

Eight fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were rescued from the sea near the Sriharikota High Altitude Range while search was on for ten more persons feared trapped at sea.

"The police and CISF personnel are on the job and all the ten fishermen are safe. But they are somehow reluctant to come to the shore. We will soon bring them out," Nellore Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni told PTI over phone.

The South Central Railway has cancelled some passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai in view of the cyclone. The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam.

Precautionary steps in Puducherry

Meanwhile, the Puducherry government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore. Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges are closed today. Puducherry experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning due to approaching very severe cyclone Vardah.

Control rooms were opened with toll free numbers 1070 and 1077 for people.

Kalpakkam Nuclear plant secured

Government has taken all precautions for the safety of Kalpakkam nuclear power plant as Tamil Nadu faces a severe cyclonic storm Vardah today.

"All precautions are taken at nuclear plant Kalpakkam to face Vardah. So far all is well and plant operation is normal.

The plant is in touch with the India Meteorological Department," the National Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Kalpakkam is in Kancheepuram, which along with Chennai, Tiruvallur and Villupuram in northern Tamil Nadu, has been pounded by heavy rainfall and high velocity winds.

The Nuclear power Corporation of India-run power plant has two operational units which produces 440 MW power while another plant of 500 MW is undergoing construction.