Motorists attempt to power through submerged streets as Cyclone Nivar makes landfall in eastern India's Chennai.

Footage filmed on November 25 shows strong winds whipping up choppy waves as well as trees that have succumbed to the gales.

Officials were forced to issue a public holiday on Thursday (November 26) and the airport and metro services were closed.

Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours of Thursday, bringing heavy rains to the union territory and neighboring Tamil Nadu. Parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including State capital Chennai, have seen persistent rains and strong winds, resulting in property damage due to water-logging and fallen trees. Thousands of people have been evacuated to storm shelters across Tamil Nadu. Many districts in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry have declared a holiday on November 26.

Cyclone Nivar decreased in intensity to a severe cyclone from a very severe cyclone following the landfall. Nivar has brought with it heavy rain and strong winds and forced authorities to declare a public holiday till Thursday, close the Chennai airport and metro services. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated by the authorities from low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall causes waterlogging in several areas of Tamil Nadu.

Around 1,200 National Disaster Response Force personnel were stationed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as well for a rescue mission.