Cyclone Nilam expected to hit Southern India today. World Vision India fully prepared to respond.

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 31, 2012 - Chennai -- The deep depression looming over the Bay of Bengal over the past couple of days has intensified into a Tropical Cyclone. The cyclone, named Nilam, reaching wind speeds of more than 90kms/hour, is right now around 250 Kms south-south east of the Chennai coast and landfall is expected between Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) and Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) this evening at around 17.30 hours (IST).

World Vision India’s nine Area Development Programmes along the coast have been pressed into action to monitor the situation and alert the communities that we serve.

Kunal Shah, Associate Director, Humanitarian Emergency Affairs, World Vision India said its National Rapid Response Team's (NRRT) South Region, is on standby for possible immediate deployment. He highlighted that its pre-positioning units at Vishakapatnam which include Non-Food Items are ready to be transported immediately, as soon as the need arises. The Community Task Forces in some of the ADPs, who were trained by World Vision India in disaster response, have also been alerted and are on standby to respond in their respective communities.

“We are earnestly praying that the cyclone does not cause much damage to life and property. However we are fully prepared and ready to respond,” said Dr. Jayakumar Christian, CEO and National Director, World Vision India.

According to news reports, “The government of Tamil Nadu has prepared 282 schools which could serve as relief centers. Community Kitchens have also been arranged and cyclone shelters with essential supplies have been organised in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts”.

Over the next 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Schools and colleges across several districts, including Chennai and Cuddalore, remain closed for the second day today.

World Vision India:

With extensive experience in mitigating and responding to emergencies like the Bhuj earthquakes, the Tsunami, Cyclone Thane, Orissa Supercyclone, etc through long-term interventions, World Vision India is a Christian relief and development organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender.  Spread across 174 locations in India, World Vision works through long-term sustainable community development programmes and immediate disaster relief assistance.

For more updates, please contact

Theodore Sam, Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Communication, World Vision India | +91 9677133877

For interviews with

Dr Jayakumar Christian, CEO and National Director, World Vision India and

Relton Samuel, Relief Response Manager, World Vision India

please contact

Pradeep Daniel, World Vision India | +91 99401 92290| pradeep_daniel@wvi.org          

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