Cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu coast

Following low pressure formed over the Bay of Bengal that has so far claimed 28 lives due to incessant rains in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Meteorological Department on Wednesday (November 26) issued a cyclone warning for the southwest coast.

The Cyclone Storm, ‘NISHA’ over southwest Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centred at 11:30 am of today, near lat.

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10.50 N and long. 80.00 E, close to Vedaranniyam. The storm is likely to move in a northwesterly direction and cross Tamil Nadu coast near Nagapattinam this evening.

Under its influence, very heavy rainfall is likely at many places of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala, south interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep during the same period, the Meteorological office said.

Meanwhile, as per the reports of local administration, most of the deaths were the result of either electrocution or wall collapses. Following the cyclone warning, schools and colleges have been closed. The district administration of all the coastal areas are put under high alert to handle any emergency.

Water level in all the dams and lakes in the state is on rise which is further increasing the fear of flash floods. People living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to safer places and fishermen have been advised not to venture out in the deep sea for any marine activities.