Furious ‘Thane’ heads to Chennai
TNN | Dec 30, 2011, 05.07AM IST
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HYDERABAD/VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh can breathe easy as the severe cyclonic storm 'Thane' changed its path and headed westwards and lay centered 180 km southeast of Chennai on Thursday. It is likely to make a landfall in north Tamil Nadu between Nagapatnam and Chennai, close to Puducherry, in the early hours of Friday.
Though south coastal Andhra shivered for the last three days as the Thane was moving towards Nellore coast, it became clear on Thursday afternoon that the severe cyclonic storm would now cross the TN coast close to Puducherry. Tamilnadu was put on high alert as danger signal number 10 was hoisted at Puducherry and Cuddalore ports and number 9 at Chennai and Ennore ports. Nagapatnam port was issued danger signal number 8.
But AP is not entirely out of danger from the impact of the cyclone. Torrential rainfall is likely at several places in south coastal Andhra and Rayalseema. The prospects of 25 cm or more rain in the next 48 hours cannot be ruled out. Squally winds lashing the coast at 65 kmph could gain immense wind speed, which can gradually touch 110-135 kmph along the coast. Already, gusty winds started hitting the coast at Sullurpet, Vakadu, Tada and Pittamuru mandals in Nellore district. A boat was washed away in Lakshmipuram.
Sea was very rough on Thursday and Met officials said it would become more violent along and off North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra coasts with the tidal waves rising up to 25 ft, crashing into the main land. At Uppada in East Godavari, sea waters came 50 metres into the main land. The Uppada-Kakinada main road suffered extensive damage as the waves kept hitting the coast. Sea erosion was witnessed at Antarvedi, Moolapet and Konapapapet mandals as the strong waves took away the shore sand.
Hundreds of fishermen who were either stranded in the mid-sea or set sail four days ago were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard personnel in coastal districts. Local cautionary signal number 3 was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Bhimili, Kalingapatnam and Gangavaram ports. Signal 4 was hoisted at Kakinada port.
Cyclone special officer Rajasekhar said that 20 cm rain in a span of 24 hours is a matter of grave concern as it can flood all escape routes and vast stretches of open land in villages and towns. All the tanks were brimming with waters in Nellore district. "In case they breach because of the heavy downpour, the devastation could be immense," felt a senior official. The district has railway tracks for about 180 km from Kavali to Tada which could be damaged if the tanks near the tracks breach.
Since Nellore district connects Chennai and Tirumala, officials from the National Highways Authority of India and R&B department are gearing up to tackle any emergency. Officials said the cyclone would cause extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts and small dwellings and minor damage to power and communication lines.
The government asked the fishermen for total suspension of fishing activities and told the hutment dwellers to move to safer places. Of the 72 fishermen who went missing from different parts of the state in the last couple of days all but eight were safe. "We have launched an aerial search operation with helicopters to trace the eight fishermen trapped in the sea," a senior official said.
Revenue minister minister said R&B, municipal administration, electricity, medical and health and fisheries departments officials have been put on high alert. The minister appealed to pilgrims heading for Tirumala to postpone their travel plans in view of the cyclone.
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TNN | Dec 30, 2011, 05.07AM IST
======================================================
HYDERABAD/VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh can breathe easy as the severe cyclonic storm 'Thane' changed its path and headed westwards and lay centered 180 km southeast of Chennai on Thursday. It is likely to make a landfall in north Tamil Nadu between Nagapatnam and Chennai, close to Puducherry, in the early hours of Friday.
Though south coastal Andhra shivered for the last three days as the Thane was moving towards Nellore coast, it became clear on Thursday afternoon that the severe cyclonic storm would now cross the TN coast close to Puducherry. Tamilnadu was put on high alert as danger signal number 10 was hoisted at Puducherry and Cuddalore ports and number 9 at Chennai and Ennore ports. Nagapatnam port was issued danger signal number 8.
But AP is not entirely out of danger from the impact of the cyclone. Torrential rainfall is likely at several places in south coastal Andhra and Rayalseema. The prospects of 25 cm or more rain in the next 48 hours cannot be ruled out. Squally winds lashing the coast at 65 kmph could gain immense wind speed, which can gradually touch 110-135 kmph along the coast. Already, gusty winds started hitting the coast at Sullurpet, Vakadu, Tada and Pittamuru mandals in Nellore district. A boat was washed away in Lakshmipuram.
Sea was very rough on Thursday and Met officials said it would become more violent along and off North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra coasts with the tidal waves rising up to 25 ft, crashing into the main land. At Uppada in East Godavari, sea waters came 50 metres into the main land. The Uppada-Kakinada main road suffered extensive damage as the waves kept hitting the coast. Sea erosion was witnessed at Antarvedi, Moolapet and Konapapapet mandals as the strong waves took away the shore sand.
Hundreds of fishermen who were either stranded in the mid-sea or set sail four days ago were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard personnel in coastal districts. Local cautionary signal number 3 was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Bhimili, Kalingapatnam and Gangavaram ports. Signal 4 was hoisted at Kakinada port.
Cyclone special officer Rajasekhar said that 20 cm rain in a span of 24 hours is a matter of grave concern as it can flood all escape routes and vast stretches of open land in villages and towns. All the tanks were brimming with waters in Nellore district. "In case they breach because of the heavy downpour, the devastation could be immense," felt a senior official. The district has railway tracks for about 180 km from Kavali to Tada which could be damaged if the tanks near the tracks breach.
Since Nellore district connects Chennai and Tirumala, officials from the National Highways Authority of India and R&B department are gearing up to tackle any emergency. Officials said the cyclone would cause extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts and small dwellings and minor damage to power and communication lines.
The government asked the fishermen for total suspension of fishing activities and told the hutment dwellers to move to safer places. Of the 72 fishermen who went missing from different parts of the state in the last couple of days all but eight were safe. "We have launched an aerial search operation with helicopters to trace the eight fishermen trapped in the sea," a senior official said.
Revenue minister minister said R&B, municipal administration, electricity, medical and health and fisheries departments officials have been put on high alert. The minister appealed to pilgrims heading for Tirumala to postpone their travel plans in view of the cyclone.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Relief-for-AP-as-furious-Thane-heads-to-Chennai/articleshow/11299435.cms
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