TN coast braces for heavy rain
As a depression loomed over the southwestern Bay of Bengal and the system is expected to bringing rains coastal areas in the State, the district administrations in coastal districts have taken precautionary measures to face untoward incidents.
Saturday has been declared a holiday for government and private schools in Cuddalore, Puducherry, Karaikal and Villupuram regions.
Local cautionary signal number III had been hoisted at Cuddalore port. Till Friday night, there was no rainfall. Chill and normal winds prevailed in Cuddalore.
Cuddalore collector R Kirlosh Kumar said, “Block development officers, municipal commissioners and town panchayat secretaries are asked to be alert with all required man power and machinery. Sufficient quantity of rice and kerosene have been kept ready to respond to needs of those in low-lying areas and coastal hamlets. Every five villages have been provided with one generator. In case of a power shutdown, these generators would be used to operate over-head tank motors.” Sub-collectors Lalitha and M Aravind are carrying out precautionary measures in Cuddalore and Chidambaram.
In Puducherry, the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management is making all arrangements. Special officer of Revenue and Disaster Management M Kandasamy said, the 16 Emergency Support Function Teams (ESFT) have been alerted. There are quick response teams under each ESFT which include police, health, local administration and other department staff, who have chalked out plans in their area. They have identified schools and community halls for keeping the affected.
Meanwhile, the district administration in Karaikal had launched an exclusive help line to guide the public. Apart from the toll free number 1077, another helpline 04368-222707 was providedto the public for swift rescue and guidance.
In a preparedness meeting held at the Karaikal collectorate on Friday, district collector A Muththamma instructed the civic officials to be on alert around the clock.Besides, Revenue Department officials were advised to carry out arrangements to evacuated people from the low-lying areas. Similarly, officials are told to ensure the availability of food and water at government schools and community halls that were to be utilised as the safe shelters for the evacuated people. Electricity board officials are insisted to attend to and rectify public grievances within half an hour on receiving the complaints.
The meteorological department said wind speeds reaching up to 65 kmph would prevail along and off north TN. Heavy rainfall up to 25 cm would occur due to the depression.
Fishermen were also advised to stay away from venturing into the sea as the sea condition was rough from Friday evening.
Besides, the revenue department officials were advised to carry out emergency arrangements to evacuate people from low-lying areas. Similarly, officials are urged to ensure the availability of food and water at the government schools and community halls that would be utilized as safe shelters for the evacuated people. Required arrangements for cooking food for the secured people are to be carried out at the central kitchens. The collector also declared a holiday for government and private schools in view of the met department warning.
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