Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has been on high alert as very severe Cyclone Vardah nears the coast. At present, the system is around 150 km away from Chennai coast and 220 km from Nellore. It is likely to make landfall close to Chennai on Monday afternoon, predicts Skymet Weather.
With the cyclone just inches away from the coast, state-run National Disaster Relief Force and Indian Navy has been put on alert. Both the state governments have chalked out strategies to battle the cyclone, which is likely to pound some heavy to extremely heavy rains over the region. Chennai rains which have begun will pick up pace soon.
Flood-like situation is expected in some areas, especially the low lying ones. Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and Nellore and Prakasam of Andhra Pradesh will face the maximum wrath of the cyclonic storm.
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Following are the latest arrangements made by the state authorities:
- Several teams with senior bureaucrats of the National Disaster Response Force and the armed forces have been rushed to the districts that are likely to fall in the path of the cyclone.
- All operational ships of Indian Navy are on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation.
Also Read: 10 Latest developments of Cyclone Vardah and Chennai Rains
- The ships consist of additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material including food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets, in quantities adequate for over 5,000 people.
- 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready.
- Navy aircraft are also on alert at the naval air stations at Rajali and Dega for rescue and relief operations including reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material.
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