Chennai, Dec 13: The intensity of the cyclonic storm, Vardah, which crossed the Chennai coast on Monday and claimed 10 lives, has reduced. The cyclone will reach
Karnataka today.
The cyclone struck land with a wind speed of 120 and 130 kmph, bringing with it heavy rain that lashed the coast in Tamil Nadu and neighbour Andhra Pradesh all through
Monday. Nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated from low areas.
Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur will remain closed on Tuesday. Rains and high-speed winds will continue, but not as severe as Monday.
Chennai recorded 10 centimeters rainfall since 8:30 am.
Chennai has come to a stand still, with suburban rail services completely suspended, runways shut and limited buses plying on roads due to water stagnations, a grim
reminder of last year's floods.
But the Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu government have taken precautions. NDRF teams are on stand by. People in low-lying areas are being evacuated and unprooted trees are being removed, despite heavy rains.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam of the Centre's assistance after cyclone Vardah left a trail of destruction in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts.
In a statement issued here, the Tamil Nadu government said Rajnath Singh spoke to Panneerselvam over phone on Monday and enquired about the situation in the aftermath of cyclone Vardah.
