Navy, Air Force, NDRRF ready as cyclone Vardah nears Chennai

According to the Met office, the cyclone  is now 87 km east of Bay of Bengal and is moving in the westward direction with a wind speed of 150 kmph, which is likely to intensify. It is expected to make landfall by 3 - 3 30 pm

The Tamil Nadu Government has said that atleast 7,357 people have been safely evacuated to 54 relief centres so far.

According to reports,  two naval ships — Shivalik and Kadmatt — are already in North of the area, which is likely to be effected, with food, doctors and medicine to provide immediate assistance.

All educational institutes in   Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal areas of Villupuram have been closed. The Tamil Nadu Government has also asked private offices to allow their staff to take a day off or work from home.

About 50 flights from Chennai have either been cancelled or diverted because of the situation.

Heavy rains have been predicted for  Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram areas.

" The system is very likely to move nearly west-southwestwards and weaken gradually from today evening onwards while moving towards north Tamilnadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast. It is very likely to cross north Tamilnadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast, close to Chennai as a cyclonic storm by 12th December 2016 afternoon," IMD said in a statement.

Fishermen have advised not to venture into sea along and off south Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

The IMD said: " Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph would prevail along and off Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts commencing from 11th December night. It will gradually increase becoming 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph during the time of landfall along and off Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Nellore and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh."