Cyclone Nivar: Three persons were killed and an equal number injured as the very severe cyclonic storm Nivar wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Thursday. According to the Tamil Nadu government, three persons lost their lives due to rain related incidents and three got injured. The state government also said that 26 cattle had also died in the storm.

On its way the cyclone also damaged several houses, uprooted trees and power lines in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore, Marakkanam and in Puducherry also. A total of 101 houses, including thatched huts and tiled houses were damaged by cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government said. According to the government, about 380 trees were uprooted by Nivar and 14 acre banana plantation was also damaged.

In Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, police said the fallen trees have been removed to ease the flow of traffic. The government said it was carrying out the repairs quickly to restore power lines. A total of 19 electric poles, which fell down, have been repaired.

At Marakkanam near Puducherry, several power poles fell down and the fishermen community requested the Tamil Nadu government to restore the power lines at the earliest. In the suburbs of Tamil Nadu capital Chennai, water got logged due to rains affecting the residents as well as the traffic flow.

Bus services that were stopped from November 24 afternoon ahead of the cyclone were resumed on Thursday afternoon in seven districts of Tamil Nadu. Suburban train services in Chennai will also be resumed at 3 p.m.

About 2.27 lakh persons have been housed in 3,085 relief camps. Chief Minister K.Palaniswami appreciated the work done by the Greater Chennai Corporation and Greater Chennai Police in removing the fallen trees and helping the needy. Palaniswami also visited Cuddalore to inspect the cyclone damages and meet the affected people.

In Puducherry also several trees were uprooted by the cyclone and the power supply was disrupted.

Puducherry Chief Minister V.Narayanasamy told a news channel that power supply will be restored in a phased manner on Thursday itself. He said, a lot of trees have fallen due to the cyclone and rain was continuing.

Narayanasamy said the low lying areas were inundated and work was on to drain the water. "Fallen trees were being removed. Power supply was disrupted and it will be soon restored in a phased manner in 12 hours", he said.

As regards the cyclone damage to life and property, Narayanasamy said the assessment will be made and by this afternoon an estimate of damage will be known. He said 80 relief camps have been set up in Puducherry. Camps have also been set up in Karaikal. Narayanasamy said, "By God's grace people of Puducherry escaped the fury of Nivar."

He also inspected the cyclone damaged areas and urged the people to stay indoors and fishermen not to venture into the seas. According to the weather department the cyclone lays centered over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry about 25km north of Puducherry with wind blowing at a speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. Nivar will move northwest and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during the next three hours, the IMD said.

The cyclone began its landfall on Wednesday night about 10.30 p.m. after moving at a speed of 16 kmph for six hours.

In an early morning tweet, Puducherry's Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi said: "Good #MorningNutrition. Puducherry has faced the Cyclone, collectively and resolutely. Making us a stronger and a more experienced team." Even after landfall, the cyclone was likely to maintain its intensity for about six hours and weaken gradually. The sea along the coast was very rough with huge waves were hitting the shores.

The IMD said, "Under its influence rainfall at most/many places with heavy to very heavy fall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls are likely to occur over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor, Kurnool, Prakasam and Cuddappa districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph very likely to prevail over interior districts (Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore) of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in the early morning to forenoon, the weather department had said. The Puducherry government too has announced Thursday as a public holiday.

Twenty five teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Nivar | Highlights

Workmen Special services in Chennai to resume service from tomorrow

Workmen Special services in Chennai that were suspended due to Cyclone Nivar to resume its service from tomorrow.

After cyclone Nivar, Tamil Nadu likely to receive heavy rains again next week: IMD

Slammed by the severe cyclonic storm Nivar early Thursday, Tamil Nadu is likely to receive another spell of very heavy rainfall as a fresh low pressure area is expected to form in the Bay of Bengal from November 29 onwards, the IMD said. India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the low pressure area likely to form on November 29 may bring very heavy rains over Tamil Nadu. READ MORE...

Air, Metrorail, bus services resume in Tamil Nadu 

Airport operations, Metrorail and bus transport resumed here on Thursday after very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry, authorities said. "Operations have resumed at #AAI #ChennaiAirport at 0900hrs," the Chennai Airport tweeted and it also tagged domestic arrival and departure schedule for today and requested passengers to check with airline operators for updates. State-run bus transportation services, suspended in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts from November 24, resumed from noon today.

Metro rail services too started at noon and authorities said, "holiday timetable will be followed with the headway (gap between services) of 10 minutes." Southern Railway officials said the suburban train services here are likely to resume operations.

Cyclone Nivar Update: Water-logging in Chennai 

Cyclone Nivar: IMD issues yellow alert in Karnataka

The IMD has issued a yellow alert in Bengaluru urban and several mother districts. The state is very likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on November 26 and 27. 

Cyclone Nivar Update: IMD says Nivar to move northwestwards 

Severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. It would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during next 06 hours and into a depression by subsequent 06 hours: India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Cyclone Nivar Update: Bengaluru receives light showers

Bengaluru is receiving light showers since morning today. The Met department earlier this morning predicted that the city will witness rainfall in coming days.

Cyclone Nivar Update: 3 dead in Tamil Nadu

Three people have lost their lives in Tamil Nadu following the cyclone Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours, bringing heavy rains to the union territory and neighbouring state. 

Cyclone Nivar Update: Water-logging in Puducherry

Water-logging in Puducherry's Kamaraj Nagar today, following landfall made by Cyclone Nivar last night

Cyclone Nivar Update: Chennai Airport resumes operations

The Airports Authority of India announced all operations at the Chennai International Airport have resumed. The airport had suspended all domestic, international and cargo operations from Wednesday until Thursday morning in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

Cyclone Nivar Update: Amit Shah speaks to CMs of TN, Puducherry, assures all possible help

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and assured them of all possible help from the Centre in the wake of severe cyclonic storm Nivar. The home minister said the central government is closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after the landfall of the cyclone and the National Disaster Response Force personnel are on the ground to help the needy. "We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Have spoken to CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and CM Shri @VNarayanasami and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams already on ground to help people in need," he tweeted.

Nivar cyclone tracking live: Chennai Metro to resume services

According to latest reports, the officials have decided to resume the operations of the Chennai Metro around 12 noon.

Nivar cyclone LIVE: 2 lakh people shifted to shelter camps in TV 

Over two lakh people are staying at the relief camps across Tamil Nadu, latest reports say. Two trains scheduled from Kerala to Tamil Nadu have been cancelled due to the aftermath of the Cyclone Nivar.

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Officials working to restore power supply

Several coastal areas in Tamil Nadu have been facing power outage due to Cyclone Nivar. A PTI report said that the authorities are pumping out water in order to restore power supply in affected areas.

8:40 AM: Operations at Chennai airport to remain suspended till 9 AM

According to news agency ANI, the closure of the Chennai Airport airport due to Cyclone Nivar stands extended till 0900hrs of today.

8:35 AM: Heavy rains in TN, Puducherry

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu recorded the highest rainfall at 24.6 cm, followed by 23.7 cm in Puducherry from 8.30 PM on Wednesday till 2.30 am on Thursday. Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 8.6 cm and Chennai 8.9 cm during the same period.

8:20 AM: CM Palaniswami to review situation 

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: According to PTI, crops and groves are safe in the state. However, the situation would be reviewed and based on its outcome, insurance payout and compensation to farmers, if any, would be announced by Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

8 AM: No reports of loss of life in TN

Cyclone Nivar Live: Tamil Nadu's Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar said that there were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone which uprooted trees. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from some parts of the state.

7 AM: Nivar makes landfall, weakens into severe cyclonic storm

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours, bringing heavy rains to the union territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry, the Met department said.

11:15 pm: Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 50 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 40 km east southeast of Puducherry. Landfall process commences. Centre of Nivar Cyclone to cross coast near Puducherry within next 3 hours, says MD

11:00 pm: Landfall process of severe cyclonic storm Nivar has started: S Balachandran, IMD Chennai

10:40 pm: Severe thunderstorm with heavy rain is likely to occur over Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, Thiruvannamalai, Viluppuram, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, districts of Tamil Nadu & Puducherry and Karaikal area within next three hours. After 3 am intensity of cyclone will decrease. However, rainfall will continue tomorrow, says IMD Chennai's S Balachandran.

10:00 pm: Landfall of Nivar Cyclone will start in an hour, says S Balachandran, IMD Chennai.

09:18 pm: Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar now lies about 80 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, about 85 km east southeast of Puducherry. Very likely cross Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts between Karaikal & Mamallapuram during mid-night of Nov 25 midnight, says IMD

09:15 pm: Heavy rains have caused waterlogging in several areas of Puducherry. 

07:10 pm: Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland has closed the Chennai plant as a precautionary measure in view of Cyclone Nivar. The city-based heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer expects to resume operations at the facility from November 27, company President-Human Resources, NV Balachandar said.

"Our Chennai plant is closed due to the cyclone as a precautionary measure. We expect to resume operations from November 27....as per the emergency protocols all preventive measures for the cyclone are in place," he said in a statement.

"At the moment, we do not foresee any delay for fulfilling our existing order book," he said.

06:21 pm: In view of Cyclone Nivar, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed UGC-NET 2020 examination scheduled on November 26 (Mathematical Sciences and Chemical Sciences) until further notice in respect of all exam centres which are located in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

05:40 pm: Due to Cyclone Nivar, aircraft operations at Chennai Airport will remain suspended from 7 pm today to 7 am tomorrow.

05:20 pm: Due to Cyclone Nivar, the statewide public holiday to continue till Nov 26 in 13 districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Vellore, Cuddalore, Viluppuram, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Chengalpattu, and Perambalore: CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

04:43 pm: Southern Railways announces train diversions in view Cyclone Nivar

04:01 pm: Strong winds blow in Tamil Nadu's Mamallapuram ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Nivar between Karaikal and Mamallapuram during midnight today and early hours of November 26.

03:51 pm: About more than 30,000 people have been evacuated from Tamil Nadu & 7,000 people have been evacuated from Puducherry. Central, state & local governments are working in tandem. All efforts are being made to minimise damage: SN Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force

03:50 pm: Cyclone Nivar is categorised as 'very severe'. With this perspective we're preparing for the worst. Our teams have been on the ground for the last 2 days. Till now 25 teams deployed through Tamil Nadu & Puducherry & Andhra Pradesh: SN Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force

03:32 pm: Indian Coast Guard vessel deployed off Chennai coast with disaster relief items, in view of Cyclone Nivar

03:01 pm: Severe water-logging in the area around Chennai's Poonamallee High Road | PICS

02:48 pm: Tamil Nadu BJP cancels programmes under Vetrivel Yatra in the view of cyclone

"Due to CycloneNivar, we have cancelled programmes under Vetrivel Yatra which started on November 6, at Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and two other places today. Remaining programmes have been postponed and yatra will culminate on December 5 at Thiruchendur," said Tamil Nadu BJP chief L Murugan.

02:34 pm: Two trains fully cancelled for today, three for tomorrow and one for 28th November: Southern Railways

01:18 pm: Heavy to very heavy rain likely at isolated places: IMD

Scattered heavy to very heavy rain likely at isolated places over Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam,Cuddalore, Chennai, Kanchipuram,Chengalpattu, Myladuthirai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurchi, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai Dist of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry&Karaikal, says Met Dept, Chennai.

Heavy rain is also likely to occur at a few places over Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu, it added.

01:03 pm: Puducherry CM V.Narayanasamy visits Kanakachettikulam to review preparations

12:46 pm: Water released from Chembarambakkam Reservoir

The public works department opens started shutters of the Chembarambakkam reservoir in Chennai to release water at the rate of 1,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) as Chennai and surrounding areas received heavy rain due to cyclone Nivar.

12:30 pm: Cyclone Nivar gradually intensifying, could cause structural damage

Cyclone Nivar gradually intensifying. It could cause structural damage, uprooting of trees, damage to thatched/tin houses, & damage to banana & paddy crops. There'll be strong winds & heavy rain. The most impact will be in Puducherry & Karaikal, says Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, DG, IMD

12:15 pm: Strong winds at Mamallapuram | WATCH

11:55 am: Army ready to assist govt & civil administration in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

11:35 am: Cyclone Alert! All schools in Puducherry granted three days leave in view of cyclone Nivar.

11:18 am: District administrations set up control rooms

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: The district administrations have set up control rooms at the district collectorate (04142 220700 / 233933 / 221383 / 221113), Cuddalore revenue divisional office (04142 - 231284), Chidambaram subcollector office (04144 – 222256 / 290037) and Vridhachalam sub-collector office (04143 -260248) to enable people to seek assistance.

10:58 am: Greater Chennai Corporation issues Cyclone Nivar Helpline

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued 24x7 emergency numbers to lodge complaints regarding the issues caused due to the Cyclone -- 044 2538 4530;  044 2538 4530; 044 2538 4540 or 1913.

10:28 am: Water logging in some parts of the city of Chennai

10:27 am: 24 trains cancelled from Chennai

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: Southern Railway cancelled of 24 special trains -- connecting Chennai Egmore and the southern districts of Tamil Nadu -- on November 25

10:12 am : Kiran Bedi appeals to stay indoors and move to safer places | WATCH

09:47 am: People from low lying areas evacuated: Puducherry CM

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: Central control room operating from State Disaster Management Control Room to provide help to the public. People from low lying areas evacuated. They will be provided with food, water, hand sanitisers & face masks. The fishermen advised not to venture into the sea, says Puducherry CM

09:16 am: Authorities imposed Section 144 in Puducherry for 72 hours

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: Administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Puducherry and Karaikal regions from 9 p.m. on November 24 to 6 a.m. on November 26.

09:01 am: Cyclone Nivar lays 350 km SE of Chennai moving NW & likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm & cross between Karaikal & Mahabalipuram today late evening or night. While crossing wind speed likely to touch 145 kmph, says Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai.

08:38 am: Rain lashes Chennai

08:14 am: Sea rough in Puducherry | Watch

08:10 am: Heavy rain lashes Kanchipuram

8:05 am: Severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph

8:00 am: Indigo flights due to Cyclone Nivar

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: "Forty-nine flights that were scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled. We will monitor the situation and decide on the further course of action for November 26," said IndiGo.

7:50 am: Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy holds review meeting

7:46 am: IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai, surroundings cities

Cyclone Nivar Live Updates: IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupathur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Trichy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Karaikal. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely over districts closer to the landfall location like Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Ariyalur and Perumbalur.

7:35 am: Cyclone Nivar to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm'' in next next 12 hrs: IMD