State geared up for cyclone, relief centres opened: EPS

Allaying the fears of the people, Palaniswami observed that he had already deputed senior officials to Kanniyakumari and neighbouring districts, to coordinate the relief works on a war footing.

“Collectors of southern districts, especially Kanniyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli have been directed to take preventive steps and to evacuate people living in low-lying areas to safety, and relief camps. Senior officials will work in tandem with the Cabinet Ministers from respective districts, and District Collectors,” he said.

He added that he had rushed RB Udhayakumar to Kanniyakumari to expedite the relief works.

“To take up relief works, State Disaster Response Force numbering and two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were already deployed,” Palaniswami said.

The CM also directed the TANGEDCO officials to ensure that power transformers in the low-lying areas stay above water. He wanted the officials to set right the uprooted electric poles that were damaged in the cyclone, and had activated another team of officials from TANGEDCO Madurai to expedite necessary relief works.

Commissioner of Revenue Administration (CRA) K Satyagopal said that the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) had issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the Collectors of Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Virudhunagar districts, soon after the receipt of the forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“We are also coordinating with District Emergency Operations Centre. If need be, we will increase the responders from Centre and State.” heads SDMA said. Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani who reviewed the monsoon effect at the Secretariat said every preventive measure meant to be taken by the local body in the city had already been taken.

Observing that the city had received 5.89 cm rainfall in the 24 hours that ended at 8.30 am on Thursday, the minister said water logging was reported in 109 areas where they had managed de-water in 27 areas and works are underway to de-water the rest.

The Minster said that in Greater Chennai Corporation they had laid new storm water drains, mended rain battered roads, and removed encroachments along Cooum and Adayar river banks.