CHENNAI: Cyclone Vardah is currently headed towards Chennai and the weather department has issued warning for a very heavy rainfall alert in three districts, Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur for the next two days.
The rains are expected to begin later in the evening today at a moderate pace, and slowly intensify as the night progresses. On Monday, heavy to very heavy rains will be occurring in the three northern districts. The quantum of rain may even exceed 20 cm in one or two places.
Categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm, Vardah which means Rose in Arabic /Urdu was earlier expected to make a landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam. But, Meteorological department officials now say the Cyclone currently at about 440 kms east of Chennai is hurtling towards the capital city, where it is expected to make a landfall by Monday afternoon.
Speaking to Express , S Balachandran, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre , said there will be strong winds from Sunday evening, and will peak at 80-90 Kmph when the Cyclone crosses the coast tomorrow. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into sea off South Andhra and North Tamilnadu coast. Vardah is expected to gradually weaken after it makes the landfall.
Here are the helpline numbers released by the Chennai Corporation:
CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS: 044-25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570,
WHATSAPP NUMBERS: 9445477207,9445477203, 9445477206, 9445477201, 9445477205.