Cyclone Nilam, which hit Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, has claimed 11 lives so far. Eight people have been killed in Tamil Nadu and three in Andhra Pradesh.
The devastating storm swept across north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram. Chennai recorded the maximum speed of cyclone 75 km per hour during the time of the landfall yesterday.
Meanwhile, the cyclone also pushed the Prathiba Kavery ship from Mumbai to the shore near Elliots Beach. Seventeen people were rescued from the ship. Out of the 37 people, who were on board the ship, 20 people jumped into the waters to escape.
Authorities said that six people were missing and two were dead. More than 200 electric posts were destroyed when the cyclone hit the land in various places.
In Nagapattinam, more than 80 thousand hectares of paddy fields have been affected. More than 3000 people have been staying in cyclone relief camps. Authorities are yet to figure out the damages caused.
In Andhra Pradesh , though the storm diluted into deep depression following its landfall last evening, the Met officials warned that heavy rain along with winds speed reaching 65 kilo meters per hour continue for next 12 hours in the south coastal districts. Local warning signal number III has been hoisted at Krishnapatnam, Vadarevu and Nizampatnam ports.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea. Nellore and Prakasam districts being worst hit on the south coastal Andhra region, sea erosion reported from several places up to 200 meters.
Roads and low-lying areas were inundated due to heavy rains at several places in Nellore , Prakasam and Chittoor district. The highest rainfall of 15 cente meters recorded at Pellakur mandal, while several other towns recorded rainfall of more than 10 cente meters.
Minor damage to Communication lines was reported so far while some thatched roofs and huts and standing crops like paddy and Ground nut suffered damage. Several trains on Chennai-Vijayawada section are running late while the authorities have cancelled some of them due to heavy rains.
Meanwhile, about 60 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who swept away in the storm have been rescued off Prakasam coast.
