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Cyclone Nilam heads for India after Sri Lanka flooding Cyclone Nilam buffets Indian coast after Sri Lanka flooding
(about 5 hours later)
At least 4,000 people are in displacement camps after being affected by floods in Sri Lanka linked to a tropical cyclone which is heading for southern India. The south-eastern coast of India has been hit by Cyclone Nilam, with wind speeds reaching 100km/h (60mph).
Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated to escape the storm which is buffeting the city of Chennai. Several trees have been uprooted, but so far there have been no injuries.
At least 4,000 people in displacement camps in nearby Sri Lanka have been affected by flooding.
But the worst of the storm failed to hit Sri Lankan territory directly.But the worst of the storm failed to hit Sri Lankan territory directly.
Cyclone Nilam is expected to hit India on Wednesday night. As it heads west, Cyclone Nilam is now hitting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and the town of Pondicherry.
With wind speeds reaching 100 km/h (60 mph), Cyclone Nilam could make landfall on Tamil Nadu state and also hit the state of Andhra Pradesh. Schools, colleges and cargo operations at the port in Chennai, Tamil Nadu's state capital, have been shut.
Schools, colleges and cargo operations at the port in Tamil Nadu's state capital, Chennai, have been shut.
Fishermen in both states have also been warned not to venture out to sea.Fishermen in both states have also been warned not to venture out to sea.
India's weather department has warned that "damage is expected" when the cyclone makes landfall anywhere between Nagapattinam in northern Tamil Nadu and the Nellore district in southern Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening. India's weather department has warned of continual rainfall, strong winds and rising tides until at least Thursday morning.
It said in a statement that the storm could damage huts, trees and power and communication lines. It said in a statement that the storm had extensively damaged groundnut and maize crops, and thatched-roof properties, along the coast.
The storm is also likely to damage crops like rice, groundnut and maize in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and rice and groundnut in coastal Andhra Pradesh, the statement said. In addition power and communication lines have been put out of action.
Authorities in the two states have been put on alert ahead of the storm. The department has warned people living in the storm-hit areas to makes sure their escape routes are not flooded.
Reports say over 300 schools and community centres in Chennai have been kept ready to receive people evacuated from the path of the storm. Control rooms have been opened in the vulnerable coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Authorities in the two states were put on alert ahead of the storm for at least 24 hours.
Meanwhile in Sri Lanka disruption is at its greatest in Mullaitivu in the north-east and Gampaha on the west coast. In the north, the Red Cross has been distributing tarpaulins, mats and mosquito nets. Strong winds and showers are still prevalent in the north and east. Reports say more than 300 schools and community centres in Chennai have been kept ready to receive evacuated people. Control rooms have opened in the vulnerable coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka disruption was at its greatest in Mullaitivu in the north-east and Gampaha on the west coast. In the north, the Red Cross has been distributing tarpaulins, mats and mosquito nets. Strong winds and showers are still prevalent in the north and east.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says that people in areas hit by heavy fighting at the conclusion of the war in 2009 have been badly affected.The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says that people in areas hit by heavy fighting at the conclusion of the war in 2009 have been badly affected.
They include Tamil families who left the huge Menik Farm refugee camp when it was closed a month ago and who have been living in makeshift accommodation since then. In December 2011, more than 30 people died and many homes were damaged after a cyclone struck near Pondicherry.
In December 2011, more than 30 people died and many homes were damaged after a cyclone struck near the southern Indian town of Pondicherry.
And in May 2010 at least 23 people died as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across Andhra Pradesh.And in May 2010 at least 23 people died as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across Andhra Pradesh.
Are you in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh? Are you preparing for the cyclone? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh? Are you preparing for the cyclone? Send us your experiences using the form below.