Andhra coast braces for cyclone 'Nilam'

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh were taking all precautionary measures to tackle the situation arising out of cyclone ‘Nilam', which is likely to cross the coast between Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and Nellore in south coastal Andhra Wednesday.

Revenue Minister Raghuveera Reddy said that control rooms were set up in the state secretariat in Hyderabad and in the south coastal districts to provide information about the cyclone.

The cyclonic storm was centred over the Bay of Bengal and located about 450 km south-southeast of Chennai on Tuesday evening.

The MeT office said the system would move north-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Nellore near Chennai by Wednesday evening.

Under the influence of Nilam, rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during next 12 hours.

Squally winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts. Fishermen along the coasts were advised not to venture into the sea.

The MeT offices said storm surges of about 1 to 1.5 metres were likely to inundate the low lying areas of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur of Tamil Nadu and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
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