New Delhi:
Life in Tamil Nadu is inching back to normalcy after very severe cyclonic storm Vardah wreaked havoc in the coastal regions of the state. The flight operations in Chennai airport have been restored.
At least 10 people were killed on Monday by the incidents related to very severe cyclonic storm ‘Vardah’, the most intense to have hit the Tamil Nadu capital in two decades made a landfall.
The heavy rains and destruction cost their lives to four people in Chennai, two in Tiruvallur, one in Villupuram and one in Nagapattinam, NDMA officials said.
Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has announced that Rs 4 lakh will be given to family members of those who died due to Cyclone Vardah from state disaster relief fund.
More than 10,000 people were rescued and sheltered by the National Disaster Response Force in nearly 300 relief camps.
Also read | Cyclone Vardah wreaks havoc in Tamil Nadu: Dos and don'ts
The cyclone flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw into disarray rail, road and air traffic as it crossed the coast near the Tamil Nadu capital, pounding Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with heavy rain and squall.
The National Disaster Management Authority said that a total of 10,432 people were rescued by 19 NDRF teams in different parts of Tamil Nadu as the severe cyclone hit the state.
As many as 296 relief camps were set up of which 97 have become operational, the NDMA said in a statement.
Altogether 11,857 food packets were also distributed by the NDRF. As many as 297 roads were blocked in Tamil Nadu after the cyclone’s landfall of which 89 were cleared so far.
A total of 3,384 trees were fallen and 30 electric Transformers were also damaged. The NDMA said the cyclone will slow down by midnight and weaken by Tuesday.
However, it asked people in cyclone-hit areas to remain indoors and not to venture out besides remaining calm.
Cyclone helpline numbers are - 044-25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694. WhatsApp number - 9445477207, 9445477203.One NDRF team comprises of 35 personnel.
(With Inputs from PTI)
Quicks facts issued by NDMA: (For Tamil Nadu)
Cyclone Position- Crossed Over
Wind speed: 60 kms to 80 kms gusting to 90 kms
No of Relief Camps Open- 296
No of Relief camps in operation-98
No of people evacuated and sheltered in relief camps- 11899
No of food packets supplied-14581
No of NDRF teams deployed-7 Teams
No of SDRF deployed-4 Teams
Hut Damages-55
No of tree fallen- 4200 and 1080 removed
No of EB Poles fallen-3400
No of Road blocked- 312(100 cleared)
No of Transformers damaged-30
Here are the live updates:
NDRF operation continues in cyclone hit areas..... pic.twitter.com/DkZwuKDc1l
— NDRF (@NDRFHQ) December 13, 2016
10:30am: Flight operations resume at Tirupati Airport after it was temporarily suspended due to Cyclone Vardah that hit TN & AP Monday
#WATCH: Trees uprooted, damage caused in several parts of Chennai after #cyclonevardah made a landfall in the city yesterday pic.twitter.com/pPy5Edyeuu
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 13, 2016
9:10am: Situation being monitored closely by concerned authorities.Working to restore normalcy as fast as we can-RK Pachnanda DG NDRF
#CycloneVardah #Update Forms Deep Depression over North Interior Tamil Nadu. To weaken as a low pressure area in next 6 hours: @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/wlERdNBbJW
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2016
Tamil Nadu: NDRF teams conduct relief and rescue operations in cyclone hit areas #CycloneVardah (morning visuals) pic.twitter.com/HN9AJ2DFCQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 13, 2016
