Live: Chennai Metro, Southern Railway announce changes for Cyclone Nivar

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has tweeted that the Metro trains in Chennai will run as per the Holiday Train Services timetable on November 25 2020, on account of Cyclone Nivar.

The services would begin at 7am and end at 10pm with a headway of every 10 minutes. CMRL has also said that the services could be regulated based on the rainfall and water level in the track.

Cyclone Nivar has caused wide spread rainfall in multiple southern coastal and Rayalseema districts in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Jagan Reddy held a video conference with collectors of SPS Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapuramu districts in Andhra.

He has said that preventing loss of life and damage to property should be the top priority and also asked the collectors to stay on high alert.

He asked the collectors to open relief camps wherever necessary, reports news agency PTI.

Indian National Congress (INC) leader Rahul Gandhi has asked people of TN, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh to stay safe because of the cyclone.

He has also asked all Congress party workers to help people in need.

"Cyclone Nivar is making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Please follow all safety measures.

I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need.

Stay indoors, stay safe." he tweeted.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has declared a public holiday in Tamil Nadu on November 25 2020, following heavy rains caused by Cyclone Nivar.

Official twitter handle of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party has tweeted the announcement.

The Chief Minister has also urged the people to stay safe during the expected landfall time on November 25.

Southern Railways has announced changes in the sub urban train schedule in Chennai following heavy rains. On November 25 2020, all sub urban train services in Chennai has been cancelled from 10am until further notice.

Also, operations of trains from 03:30pm on November 24 2020 until 10am on November 25 2020 is conditional based on the weather, the body said.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has announced that the intermediate, final examinations scheduled on November 24 and 25 are being rescheduled on account of Cyclone Nivar.

Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Karaikudi, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Tiruvallur and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (UT) will have intermediate exams on December 9 2020 and final exams on December 11 2020, an announcement by ICAI said.

As many as 30 NDRF teams have been deployed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead of Cyclone Nivar. "We have a total of 30 teams committed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Out of those, nine teams are deployed in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu combined and other 9-10 teams on the battalions. Andhra Pradesh has a battalion in Vishakhapatnam and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry combined have a battalion at Arakkonam," SN Pradhan, Director General, NDRF was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

With Cyclone Nivar very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on the evening of Wednesday, rains lashed in parts of Chennai on Tuesday, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

IMD's senior scientist RK Jenamani says the cyclone is currently 50km southwest of Chennai and it could make landfall tomorrow evening.

#NivarCyclone is currently 50km south-west of Chennai and is moving north-westward. The prediction is that it is likely to move towards Tamil Nadu coast & cross close to Puducherry at around 5pm tomorrow. It will intensify further: RK Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/wMYvB1lUcD

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

Director general of National Disaster Response Force said that 9 teams are present only in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh itself. 30 teams across TN, AP and Puducherry are ready to take up rescue missions.

We have a total of 30 teams committed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. We have 9 teams in Puducherry & Tamil Nadu combined. One NDRF battalion is at Arakkonam & another is at Vijayawada: SN Pradhan, DG, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) #NivarCyclone pic.twitter.com/ZBSYhAY9ZN

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

S Balachandran of IMD Chennai told ANI that severe cyclonic storm Nivar will cross Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Wednesday evening.

The severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry by tomorrow evening. Under the influence of this cyclone, rainfall is expected to continue up to 27th November in Tamil Nadu: S Balachandran, IMD Chennai. #NivarCyclone pic.twitter.com/GIcB7pcNjR

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has tweeted "Cyclonic storm 'NIVAR' over Bay of Bengal lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 24th Nov, about 410 km east-se of Puducherry. To intensify further into a SCS during next 24 hrs. To cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during 25th Nov evening as SCS with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph."

Cyclone Nivar expected to make landfall between Mamallapuram and Karaikkal in Tamil Nadu's east coast, has caused widespread rainfall in Chennai city and surrounding suburbs. To help the residents in need, Greater Chennai Corporation has set up the following emergency numbers -

Cyclone Helpline -

044 2538 4530

044 2538 4530

044 2538 4540

1913 (24*7)