Tamil Nadu Chief Minister OP Panneerselvam is holding emergency consultations to discuss Cyclone Vardah, reports Puthiya Thalaimurai TV. People living in low-lying areas have been advised by CM to move to safer places. The state secretariat is constantly monitoring the cyclone's progress. In Pazhaverkadu outside Chennai, five villages are reported to be cut off as the roads have been washed away.


Vardah is now lying now 87 km east of Bay of Bengal, moving in westward direction, and expected to make landfall close to Chennai by 1:30 pm, says Navy chief PRO captain, DK Sharma.


Massive uprooting of trees reported. The north region of Tamil Nadu and south of Andhra expected to receive heavy rainfall and wind, says S Balachandran, MeT Director.


A metre-high tidal wave expected, people advised to be in safe places and stick to instructions given by the government, the MeT Director said.


Outstation trains to Chennai have been halted at Arakkonam junction. The Chennai municipal corporation has advised people to not come out of their homes after 1 pm.

The Indian Navy has stationed two of its vessels, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt, with relief materials for 5000 people, reports Thanthi TV. In Pazhaverkadu area, outside Chennai, people are being evacuated to safer areas, reports the channel.