NEW DELHI, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- 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 cyclonic storm is likely to make the landfall between Karaikal and Mamalapuram areas, and most of these areas have been witnessing light to heavy rains over the past 24 hours.
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.
It is expected to render loss to properties in as many as seven districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, besides bringing in heavy rains over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, southern interior parts of Karnataka and Telangana states.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the chief ministers of both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and assured them all possible help from the federal government in carrying out rescue and relief work, if any, after the cyclone passes through. Enditem
