Cyclone Vardah kills two in Chennai

National Disaster Management Authority of India tweets out emergency numbers.

By: Agencies | | Updated: December 12, 2016 10:55 pm

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Cyclone Vardah crossed the Chennai coast and ripped through the city killing two and leaving a trail of destruction in the form of uprooted trees, damaged roof sheets and more. “The cyclone crossed the coast near Chennai Port Trust. It will weaken into a depression in the coming hours. However there will be rains and winds blowing at 70 kmph,” S. Stella, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, told IANS. She said the wind speed touched a peak of around 120 kmph when the first part of the powerful cyclone crossed the coast on Monday evening. Also Read - Mumbai Rains: Reached office today? Do these 5 things immediately!

The cyclone was accompanied by heavy to very heavy rains, which left Chennai drenched. But most people, aware of the nature’s fury, remained indoors, leaving the roads across the city virtually deserted. According to S. Balachandran, another Director at the Regional Meteorological Centre, said the western part of the cyclone crossed the coast first and then came the central part. Stella said the Meenambakkam Meteorological Centre recorded a rainfall of 18 cm from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The Nungambakkam centre recorded 10 cm of rains. The cyclone felled several trees and claimed two lives, the government said. Overhead cables and electricity poles also crashed. Some trees fell collapsed on parked vehicles, damaging them. Advertisement hoardings and name boards of offices and shops were damaged and glass panes on windows and buildings shattered due to the strong wind. Water-logging was reported from in several roads, and sewage overflows in many areas. Those on two wheelers who continued to drive despite warnings fell on the road due to strong winds. At least 260 trees and 37 electricity poles crashed in Chennai, officials said. The intensity of the gales made a severe impact on railway infrastructure, resulting in considerable damage to overhead electrical lines at several locations. This affect train services, said Anupam Sharma, the Divisional Railway Manager. A total of 20 trains were held up in Chennai stations. The Southern Railways cancelled three long distance trains while diverting and rescheduling several other trains. Also Read - 7 foods you MUST have daily during monsoon

The National Disaster Management Authority of India tweeted the following helpline numbers: Also Read - Why sex during monsoon is a perfect idea!

#Chennai #CycloneVardah Corporation Helpline Nos. pic.twitter.com/NejCvhVTGx

— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 11, 2016

The government said over 8,000 people were shifted to relief camps set up in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Villupuram districts.

As a precaution, the electricity board cut power supply to major parts of the city in the morning itself.

Mobile phone signals were affected severely due to the cyclone.

The railways cancelled suburban rail services and diverted some long distance trains.

“As the wind speed is around 50 knots, it is not conducive to operate the flights,” Chennai Airport Director Deepak Shastri told IANS.

A total of 25 Chennai bound flights were diverted, nine got delayed and five were cancelled. The incoming flights were diverted to Bengaluru or Coimbatore.

Passengers who reached Chennai by trains just before the cyclone hit faced huge problems reaching their destinations due to the fewer number of buses and autorickshaws on the roads.

The Met department predicted rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 36 hours (till Wednesday).

The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for all government, government-aided private schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the affected areas.

It has told the private sector to allow their workers to avail a holiday or work from home.

The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday on Tuesday for all educational institutions in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts.

Here are some other helpline numbers:

Tree Fall/Water logging–1913

Sewage overflow–45674567

Handling poisonous reptiles–22200335

Blue cross–9176025265

Power failure–1912

State emergency-1070

District emergency–1077

Fire rescue-101
Source: IANS
Image source: IANS (Image for representational purpose only)

Published : December 12, 2016 10:42 pm | Updated:December 12, 2016 10:55 pm