Andhra Pradesh: Authorities alerted as cyclone Nivar turns severe and heads towards Chittoor

The authorities in several districts of Andhra Pradesh are on high alert as the cyclone Nivar is fast approaching. Currently, the cyclone is centred at 290 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, 300 km southeast of Pondicherry and 350 km southeast of Chennai. There is a risk of it becoming a severe Cyclone in another 12 hours. The cyclone, which is currently concentrated in the east-southeast of Puducherry and southeast of Chennai, will cross the straight coast at Jamuna Karaikal, Mahabalipuram at midnight or tomorrow morning. Winds are likely to reach 120 to 130 kms per hour while crossing the coast. The impact of the Nivar cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal can be seen across the coast.

With impact of Cyclone, heavy rains likely today and tomorrow in the southern coastal and Rayalaseema districts, said the AP Disaster Management Commissioner K Kanna Babu Heavy to very heavy rains are likely in Nellore and Chittoor districts. The SDRF and NDRF teams are ready for relief operations, he said. District officials and government departments are being alerted from time to time depending on the course of the storm. Fishermen were warned not to go hunting. Kanna Babu advised farmers to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions in agricultural work.

The meteorological department has forecasted that the cyclone will enter Chittoor district with the same intensity as it crosses the coast between Mahabalipuram. The power department was alerted in this regard. APSPDCL Chairman Harinath Rao said that they have set up control rooms in Nellore and Chittoor. "Naidupet, Gudur, Srikalahasti and Puttur divisions will be most affected by the cyclone; we have appointed a Superintending Engineer Level Officer as a Special Officer for each Division and have deployed 20 special teams from Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur districts consisting of 10 people each," Harinath Rao said. He said they have sent power poles, cables and conductors in advance to the four designated division and asserted that if there is a power outage anywhere, they should call the 1912 toll free.

Meanwhile, UG and PG examinations under Anantapur JNTU have been postponed due to the impact of the cyclone. Shashidhar, Director, JNTU Examinations, has issued a statement to this effect. He said examinations in five districts were being postponed.