Panic builds up in Ramnad, Collector says all measures in place

Ramanathapuram is among the seven districts that were expected to get heavy to very heavy rain when the cyclone makes landfall on Thursday. Thirty-nine locations in the district have been identified as vulnerable and necessary arrangements are made to tackle the situation, the Collector said.

A team of National Disaster Response Force, comprising 25 personnel, and two teams of State Disaster Response Force with 80 personnel, have been kept ready in different parts of the district. Apart from these, 90 personnel from Indian Coast Guard and two helicopters of INS Parundu will be at the disposal of the district administration to handle any emergency. Besides these, the services of a 30-member team of the special commando force, fire and rescue services personnel would also be utilised for rescue and relief operations. Fifteen inter departmental zonal teams have been set up to monitor the situation and render assistance, wherever required. To accommodate rain-affected persons, 23 multipurpose evacuation shelters were kept ready with basic facilities, including drinking water, toilet and arrangements. Food would also be arranged at these centres. Medical teams have also been deputed to different areas of the district.

To drain out stagnant water, 39 suction machines and 92 heavy duty machines would be pressed into service. The collector said that the district administration has a stock of 45,000 sand bags to plug breaches in tanks, 50,000 casuarina poles to be used for temporary repair of damaged bridges along with 141 earth movers. Doctors in 11 government hospitals and 58 primary health centres have been instructed to be ready to handle any emergency. In addition to this, 33 other mobile medical teams would be on rounds for instant medical care. With roles and responsibilities clearly assigned, 25 personnel would act as district response guards to prevent loss of lives.

Around 1,520 mechanized boats and around 5,000 country craft did not venture into the sea due to inclement weather. To avoid any damage due to the cyclone, 1,000 boats anchored in the northern side of the district were shifted to the southern side of Pamban bridge. The collector appealed to the people to stay indoor still the cyclone crossed the coast on Thursday.