Telangana News

Cyclonic storm Vardah hit the coast near Chennai with wind speed of 110-120 kmph today, noon, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

As the impact was even felt in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed the district administration to evacuate people in about 255 low-lying areas to safer places.

Naidu said that, food and other essential commodities have been kept ready in adequate quantities. He also added that fishermen should not venture out to sea for the next 36 hours.

On the other side, the Tamil Nadu government has advised people not to leave their homes until 4 pm. As a part of the rescue operations over there, so far, 7357 people are evacuated to 54 relief centres safely. Over 9,400 people have also been evacuated from along the Bay of Bengal coast in SPS Nellore district, AP.

In view of the cyclone, few of the passenger trains between Sullurpeta and Chennai were cancelled. The Vijayawada-Chennai-Vijayawada Pinakini Express has been diverted via Renigunta and Arrakkonam. Some other Express trains on the Chennai route have also been diverted via Arrakkonam. Even all the operations at Chennai airport were called off till 3 pm.