'The severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry by tomorrow evening. Under the influence of this cyclone, rainfall is expected to continue up to 27th November in Tamil Nadu,' said S Balachandran, Deputy Director, India Meteorological Department(IMD), Chennai.
RK Jenamani, Senior Scientist of the IMD said that 'cyclone is currently 50km south-west of Chennai and is moving north-westward. The prediction is that it is likely to move towards Tamil Nadu coast & cross close to Puducherry at around 5 pm tomorrow. It will intensify further.'
Due to the dangerous weather situation, the Puducherry government on Tuesday imposed Section 144. According to an official statement the government 'Prohibit the presence or movement of one or more persons in public places in the entire Puducherry region and closure of all shops and establishments from 24-11-2020 9:00 pm to 26-11-2020 6:00 am'
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Tamil Nadu as the cyclone gets closer. Cyclone Nivar is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday (November 25).
ALSO READ: EXPLAINED: Delhi’s Third Wave Sees Increased Fatalities; Here's What Its Covid-19 Numbers Tell Us
In its latest update, in the morning today the IMD has said that NIVAR over 'Bay of Bengal lay centred about 410 km east-se of Puducherry'.
The southern railways in view of the situation have canceled 11 pairs of trains on different routes across the area that is expected to be affected by the cyclone.