All preparations in place ahead of cyclone Nivar in S. India

All safety precautions have been taken and preparations put in place in the coastal areas of India's southern states of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead of the cyclonic storm Nivar that is expected to make a landfall on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Locals have been advised to keep away from coastal areas as a precautionary safety measure.

Most flights to the southern states have either been cancelled or diverted, and the Indian Navy has been put on standby to carry out rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the cyclonic storm.

 

The country's private airline IndiGo announced cancellation of over 45 flights scheduled for Wednesday. The airline also offered refund of their air tickets, and advised its flyers to reschedule their air trips.

 

A statement issued by the airline stated, "We will monitor the situation and decide on the further course of action for Nov. 26."

 

The cyclone, which has been described as "very severe", is expected to make landfall with strong winds at a speed between 120 km and 145 km per hour.

 

xinhua