Deep depression intensifies into Cyclone 'Nivar', PM speaks to CM

Chennai:The deep depression over southwest Bay  of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of five kmph  during the past six hours, intensified into a Cyclonic Storm 

"NIVAR" and would cross between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts as a severe cyclonic storm tomorrow.

A bulletin issued by the Met office on Tuesday said the storm now lay centred over southwest Bay of Bengal about 410 km east -southeast of Puducherry and 450 km southeast of Chennai. 

It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, move west-northwestwards for next 12 hours and then northwestwards. 

It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram, about 55 km from here, around Puducherry tomorrow evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister EdappadiK Palaniswami and discussed about the precautionary measurestaken by the government in view of the Cyclone.

He also assured all necessary help and cooperation to the state government, an official release said.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has geared up to meet the situation. Senior IAS and IPS officials were appointed in various districts to monitor the situaton.

Bus services were suspended from today afternoon in seven districts, where the rains, accompanied by strong winds, were expected to be very extreme, till further orders.

Southern Railway also cancelled a couple of trains and partially cancelled several other trains as a precautionarymeasures.

Meanwhile, incessant rains lashed Chennai, suburbs and the delta districts of the State in view of the weather system.

Met office said the intensity of the rainfall would increasegradually when the Cyclone moves towards the coast and at the time of making the landfall.(UNI)