Central region braces for cyclone impact

Those living in damaged buildings were asked to move to special camps, while those residing in thatched roof structures were advised to cover it with tarpaulin sheets.

Food Minister R Kamaraj, who convened a meeting with officials of all departments, said 151 teams with 689 officials have been formed to monitor the situation, while 105 police personnel who know swimming, 30 Fire and Rescue Services personnel, 424 officials from Veterinary Department were kept ready. As many as 249 camps have been set up and people from 212 low lying areas that were identified in Tiruvarur district were asked to shift to these camps, the Minister said.

Officials in Nagapattinam are concerned that Cyclone Nivar could result in similar widespread damage like Cyclone Gaja. Nagapattinam Collector Praveen P Nair toured the district, especially the coastal region, and asked fishermen to moor mechanised boats in the harbours with required safety measurements. They were also asked to take the nets and country boats’ outboard engines to their houses to avoid damages.

Similar precautionary steps are being carried out in Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur and Tiruchy, where the impact of the cyclone landfall is expected and a heavy rainfall is also predicted.