Cyclone Nilam hits Tamil Nadu, no major damage reported so far

Cyclone Nilam hits Mahabalipuram near Chennai

CHENNAI: Cyclone Nilam made landfall on the Tamil Nadu coast between Mahabalipuram and Kalpakkam on Wednesday evening with strong winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclone started crossing the coast around 4.45pm and is expected to cross the coast in about two hours. Strong winds have been recorded and wind speed is expect to touch 110kmph.

Mahabalipuram was an ancient port city around 55km from the state capital Chennai and is popular tourist destination. Kalpakkam is known for its nuclear plants and affiliated research installations.

Earlier, Cyclone Nilam has shown its strength even before it crossed the coast, sending an oil tanker in the Bay of Bengal drifting towards the Besant Nagar beach on Wednesday afternoon.

A lifeboat carrying 14 people from the ship capsized in the choppy waters, and fishermen rescued and brought to shore six of them. Eight others were still on the boat at 4.30pm.

The regional meteorological office in Chennai forecast storm surges up to 1.5 metres that could inundate low-lying areas of Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. "The cyclone could bring heavy rains of up to 25cm in the next 24 hours," a Met official said.

Many people remained indoors through the day marked by intermittent spells of rain. However, the Besant Nagar beach attracted a large number of people who jostled to catch a glimpse of Pratibha Cauvery, the ship that started drifting towards the beach.

In the city, gusty winds uprooted more than 40 trees. The Tamil Nadu government and Chennai Corporation have activated their disaster management machinery. Chennai airport is likely to close down if the wind speeds increase as predicted.

Chennai port, which has sounded the warning signal 'level 7,' sent out several ships to the outer sea, as keeping them berthed at the port could cause damage when the cyclone crosses the shore.

An official communique from the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam said vigil is being maintained on all important systems.

"Now both the reactors are operating safely. Kalpakkam being a coastal site, all the structures and equipment are designed to withstand wind velocity of up to 160kmph. Additional personnel have been deployed to vigil on important systems," the statement said.

Schools will remain closed on Thursday, the third consecutive holiday. Several offices gave half-a-day off for employees to reach home safe before the cyclone landfall.

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