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In Pictures

Gallery|Climate Crisis

Tropical Cyclone Vardah slams into Chennai

At least four people killed and thousands evacuated as cyclone triggers heavy rains, causing flooding in southern India.

Chennai Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone Vardah has slammed into southeast India. [AFP]
Published On 13 Dec 201613 Dec 2016
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At least four people have been killed after Tropical Cyclone Vardah smashed into Chennai and some other areas in southern India.

The storm hit the densely populated coast of Andhra Pradesh with winds of 140 kilometres per hour, causing widespread wind damage.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes as the cyclone approached, and flights and trains were cancelled.

As the storm raged, trees and power lines were torn down and a number of vehicles were overturned.

A total of 224mm of rain poured down on the city, causing significant flooding. This is much more than the average for the whole of December, which is just 146mm.

The storm is now disintegrating as it heads west, over the Indian peninsular and into the Arabian Sea.

Additional reporting by Steff Gaulter.

Chennai Cyclone
The storm smashed into the densely populated city of Chennai. [AFP]
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Chennai Cyclone
More than 200mm of rain triggered widespread flooding. [AFP]
Chennai Cyclone
The winds were gusting as high as 140 kilometres per hour. [AFP]
Chennai Cyclone
The strong winds tore down trees and power lines. [AFP]
Chennai Cyclone
As the storm approached, tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. [AFP]
Chennai Cyclone
Schools and colleges were ordered to close and flights and trains were cancelled. [AFP]
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Chennai Cyclone
India's meteorological department said Vardah was the worst cyclone to hit Chennai in more than two decades. [AFP]


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