Nivar makes landfall, weakens into severe cyclonic storm

Chennai: Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours of Thursday, bringing heavy rains to the union territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said.

Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry, the IMD said.

There were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone which uprooted trees. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from some parts of Tamil Nadu, state Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar said.

Earlier, the IMD had said Nivar will cross coast near Puducherry with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph, gusting up to 145 kmph. The landfall of Nivar began late on Wednesday night.

Very severe cyclonic Storm NIVAR: Center lies over Land. Crossed coast near Puducherry during 2330 of 25th Nov-0230 IST of 26th Nov,” the IMD said in a tweet.

“Very severe cyclonic Storm NIVAR: weakens into a Severe Cyclonic storm,” it said in another tweet.

Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, S Balachandran said rainfall is likely to continue in Tamil Nadu.

“The storm now lies inside the land area. There will, however, be rainfall and strong winds as well,” he told PTI.n the next six hours, the severe cyclonic storm will further weaken, he said.

Udhayakumar said there were no reports of loss of life or crop damage.

“There is no loss of lives due to the rains. People have given us full cooperation,” he said.

Incidents of wall collapse were reported from a few places, he said.

“It’s a solace that nothing untoward happened and the weakening of the cyclone is good news,” he said.

The minister said about 2.5 lakh people were housed in cyclone shelters in Tamil Nadu as part of safety measures.

NIVAR