Tropical Cyclone Vardah made landfall Monday near Chennai, India, killing at least two and forcing the evacuation of thousands.
According to the Times of India, at least two people were killed, although no details were provided.
In addition, at least 24 huts have been damaged and more than 8000 people were evacuated to 95 relief camps by the National Disaster Management Authority.
Vardah moved ashore just north of Chennai Monday afternoon as the equivalent of a Category 1 tropical cyclone. The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center in its final advisory estimated Vardah's maximum sustained winds were 85 mph just prior to landfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of a storm surge about 1 meter (3.2 feet) above normal tide levels in low-lying areas of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Nellore districts.
Wunderground personal weather stations measured 6 to 10 inches of rainfall as of Monday afternoon in the Chennai metro area.
Heavy rainfall was likely to spread westward into southern India as Vardah slowly weakened.
The area of disturbed weather that eventually formed into Vardah impacted southern Thailand earlier last week. At least 14 people were killed by severe flooding.
Just over a year ago, a pair of torrential rain events triggered massive flooding in Chennai, claimed at least 269 lives and shut down the city's airport and train station.
According to NOAA's best track database, Vardah was the closest Category 1 or stronger landfall to hit Chennai in over 50 years. The last struck on Nov. 28, 1966.
Source: https://www.wunderground.com/news/tropical-cyclone-vardah-bay-of-bengal-india-december-2016
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