Thousands evacuated as cyclone nears southern India

The airport had to be shut the day before as high-speed winds and rains lashed the city.

More than 10,000 people were rescued and sheltered by the National Disaster Response Force in almost 300 relief camps. Southern Andhra Pradesh is also expected to receive heavy showers. In many places, trees and electrical poles were uprooted by the rain and wind.

IMD said it may cause damage to thatched huts and power and communication lines. The Tamil Nadu government said two persons had lost their lives due to the nature’s fury.

“The system is very likely to continue to move west-sothwestwards and weaken gradually into a well marked low pressure area during next six hours”, it said.

Flight operations were suspended at the Chennai airport on Monday but resumed early Tuesday.

Six teams of NDRF consisting of 205 rescuers along with 20 boats have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh. As the cyclone advances, people have been asked to stay indoors as a precautionary measure.

At the spot where former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was buried at the Marina beach, the canopy remained intact despite the cyclonic winds.

“The assuring part is that the pitch and the outfield has not been affected by the cyclone”.

The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required. “I will constantly monitor the situation”, he told the officials.

AFP/Getty Images A man walks along a flooded street in Chennai as Cyclone Vardah approaches the Indian coast on December 12, 2016.

Chennai, which received only 149 mm of rainfall against the normal 790 mm during this northeast monsoon season, recorded fairly good rainfall status on Monday including water bodies in Red Hills registering 93 mm, Sriperumbudur (153mm), Poondi (76mm) and Chembarambakkam (165mm).

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.

“Keep adequate stocks of food and also cash”.