At least 10 people were killed and thousands evacuated on Monday after very severe cyclonic storm ‘Vardah’ crossed Chennai coast in India’s Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh at wind speeds of up to 90 kph. Over 4000 trees were uprooted and 3400 EB poles fell down when cyclone Vardah ripped through Chennai. 55 huts and 30 transformers were damaged after cyclone Vardah hit Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Met department predicted rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 36 hours (till Wednesday).

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam said 10,432 people were shifted to relief camps set up in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts. He announced a solatium of Rs 400,000 to the families of the dead. All schools, colleges and institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts will remain closed today, announced ruling AIADMK.

‘The cyclone crossed the coast near Chennai Port Trust. It will weaken into a depression in the coming hours. However there will be rains and winds blowing at 70 kmph,’ S. Stella, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, was quoted as saying by IANS. The cyclonic storm brought heavy to very heavy rains, which left Chennai drenched. flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw into disarray rail, road and air traffic as it crossed the coast near the Tamil Nadu capital, pounding Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with heavy rain and squall.

The National Disaster Management Authority said that a total of 10,432 people were rescued by 19 NDRF teams in different parts of Tamil Nadu as the severe cyclone hit the state. As many as 296 relief camps were set up of which 97 have become become operational, the NDMA said in a statement.

No flight on Monday landed or took off from Chennai Airport as NOTAM (notice to airmen) was issued as cyclone Vardah made landfall near Chennai. All operations at Chennai Airport have now resumed. Electricity supply in several areas was disrupted as 30 transformers were damaged after cyclone Vardah hit Tamil Nadu.

The intensity of the gales made a severe impact on railway infrastructure, resulting in considerable damage to overhead electrical lines at several locations. This affect train services, said Anupam Sharma, the Divisional Railway Manager. A total of 20 trains were held up in Chennai stations. The Southern Railways cancelled three long distance trains while diverting and rescheduling several other trains.