Cyclone Nivar: Chennai airport to remain closed till Thursday morning

Chennai international airport has been closed till 7 AM on Thursday amid b wear conditions caused by Cyclone Nivar, Civil Aviation Ministry said.

Gusty winds and rains lashed parts of Tamil Nu on Wednesday, leaving several areas inundated. Authorities have housed over one lakh people in shelters as severe cyclone hurtled towards coast.

"As a measure of safety and precaution, Chennai Airport has been temporarily closed from 1900 to 0700 hrs IST due to b wear conditions caused by Cyclone Nivar. Due coordination was done with all stakeholders," Civil Aviation Ministry said on Twitter.

Nivar would intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and is likely to cross coast between Tamil Nu and Puducherry before dawn on Thursday, India Meteorological Department said.