Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been on high alert since Monday with Cyclone Nivar expected to make landfall on November 25 approximately around 12 pm between Karaikal and Mamallapuram. "Deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm -- NIVAR over south-west Bay of Bengal — (Cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts - Yellow Message)," the India Meteorological Department tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy. "Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas," he wrote in his tweet.
What do we know about the cyclone?
According to the IMD, Nivar is quite likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and into a severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 12 hours with a speed of 100-110 kilometres per hour gusting to 120 kmph. The weather department has already warned of extremely heavy rains and strong winds for the next three days.
What safety measures have the states taken?
State governments of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh have already deployed extra forces to tackle the cyclone and its aftermath. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed nine teams of rescue personnel in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead of Cyclone Nivar. Rekha Nambiyar, commandant of the NDRF unit in Arakkonam told TNIE, “We have sent out nine teams, six for Tamil Nadu and three for Puducherry for rescue operations in view of the Nivar cyclone.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has also announced the suspension of bus services in the districts of Chengalpet, Pudukkottai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Tiruvallur. The order already came into effect from 1 pm on Tuesday.
Why is the cyclone named Nivar?
According to several reports, the storm has been named Cyclone Nivar, based on the guidelines of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). As per WMO guidelines, countries in every region around the world are supposed to give names for cyclones. The word Nivar in Hindi means prevention while in Tamil it means grow high or be elevated. The WMO advises naming cyclones as it makes their identification easier and thus garners attention from the masses. This also results in seamless dissemination of information, issue warning, increase preparedness and help the media to report.
