State machinery fully geared to tackle cyclone impact

The State has issued an alert for the Cyclone-prone Cuddalore district. For the third consecutive day, fishermen in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram, were warned not to venture into the sea.

When the cyclone is about 200 kilometres from the Tamil Nadu coast, the SDMA called on the revenue authorities to take up the level three and four cyclone protocol works.

Until the cyclone de-warning message is issued, the SDRF advised the public to avoid transportation and stay indoors.

Agriculture Secretary and the special officer for monitoring the cyclone mitigation works, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, urged BSNL and private telecom service providers to deploy adequate batteries in cell phone towers. He instructed the agriculture and animal husbandry teams to be certain that there is only minimal damage to crops in case of heavy squalls. All coastal districts were instructed to hoist cyclone signals.

After having a discussion with the revenue officials, Industries Minister M C Sampath urged fisherfolk to shift to safer places. He also urged the medical teams and civic squads to keep the relief materials ready. In case of damage to farms, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur farmers were asked to keep their insurance covers set.

In case of severe storm, more than 100 veterinary teams for each district will be dispatched to attend cattle and livestock, sources said.

In Chennai following heavy rainfall warning, the Corporation authorities have been asked to attend the low-lying areas with motor pumps.