AMN
Massive efforts are underway to restore power supply and telephone services affected by cyclonic storm Vardah in Tamil Nadu, . Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has reported that several transmitters and lamp posts have been mangled due to the squally winds.
Meanwhile, rail, road and air traffic has partially resumed. A press release from the Southern Railways stated that stranded trains are moving to Chennai slowly.
State Education Minister Pandiarajan has said that educational institutions will remain closed tomorrow in all the cyclone hit areas. The Anna University has also announced that exams will be postponed.
Chief Minister O.Paneerselvam has asked all the departments to take steps to bring back normalcy in the cyclone hit areas of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur.
In Andhra Pradesh, moderate to heavy rains lash parts of Rayalaseema districts, Nellore and Prakasam owing to post-Vardah cyclone effect. The system has weakened into a depression and lay centered over north interior Tamil Nadu. It is likely to weaken further into a well marked low pressure area.
Under the influence of the system Chittoor experienced 7.6 cm of rainfall while Nellore recorded 5 cm. Fishermen are asked not to venture into sea along south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Normal day-to-day life was affected with uprooted trees and electrical poles at several places with low lying areas inundated due to incessant rains. About 391 villages were affected in Andhra Pradesh.
Educational institutions remained closed for the day. A total of 59 relief camps are functioning with about 10,960 people mobilised from vulnerable and low lying areas in the affected districts. Two people were reported dead in Chittoor.
All uprooted trees have been cleared and lifting of poles is in progress as several villages are still groping in darkness. The train traffic between Chennai and Bengaluru passing through Kuppam was cancelled temporarily, while several trains originating from Chennai and passing through Nellore are cancelled or partially cancelled or have been rescheduled.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has instructed all the concerned departments to not lower their guard till the effect of the cyclone completely subsides.