Very severe cyclonic storm Vardah is likely to make landfall close to
Chennai with a wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph by Monday afternoon, the
India Meteorological Department forecast on Sunday evening.
On Sunday afternoon, Vardah was moving at 20kmph over the Bay of Bengal, makings its way to the tamil nadu - Andhra Pradesh coast.
Rainfall will begin on Monday evening and intensify into very heavy
rain (7-19cm) by Tuesday, lasting for at least 36 hours. Isolated areas
in the city and the rest of the state may get extremely heavy rainfall
(20cm and above).
Vardah is likely to weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
The Tamil Nadu government has set up a helpline -- 1077 -- for citizens to seek assistance during the perceived calamity.
The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed high degree of readiness
to render necessary assistance. All operational ships are standing by to
undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations
including evacuation. These ships are equipped with additional divers,
doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief
material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets and
other supplies for 5,000 people.
Additionally, thirty diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons
with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at
short notice.
A naval official said, "The ENC is closely monitoring the developments
and Flag Officer Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) is in
constant communication with the Tamil Nadu Administration to augment
rescue and relief operations. Naval aircraft are also standing by at the
Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue,
casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded."
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National Disaster Response Force teams have been pre-positioned in
Chennai, Tiruvallur and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. One more team was
moving to Chennai.
In Andhra Pradesh, NDRFteams have been pre-positioned in Nellore, Tada, Sullurupeta, in Ongole and Chittoor. One NDRF team was moving to Sullurupeta.
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