Two companies of National Disaster Response Force have reached the Union Territory to deal with any eventuality arising out of cyclone Gaja.
One team had gone to Karaikal and the other one would be stationed here, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy told reporters after holding a meeting to review cyclone preparedness. As per the forecast, Karaikal was expected to receive more rainfall and hence had to be put on alert, he said. Mr. Narayanasamy said he would chair a review meeting in Karaikal on Wednesday.
Thirty fishermen who had ventured into the sea from Puducherry have returned to their respective villages. Eight fishermen from Karaikal were still at sea. Efforts are on to bring them back safely, he said. The Public Works, Local Administration and Revenue departments have been asked to coordinate their works in case of flood due to heavy rain.
The immediate priority would be shifting people to relief camps and draining water from low-lying areas, the Chief Minister said.
The cyclone is expected to hit the shore on Thursday. The Meteorological Department has predicted very heavy rainfall in several places in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from November 14. Minister for Public Works A. Namassivayam, Minister for Education R. Kamalakannan, Revenue Minister M.O.H F Shahjahan, Development Commissioner A. Anbarassu attended the meeting.
In Cuddalore, the district administration has sounded a high alert. With Cyclone Gaja likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday, the district machinery is all geared up to tackle any eventuality. Talking to reporters, Collector V. Anbuselvan said that 14 multi-purpose disaster relief centres and 28 cyclone shelters have been kept ready. Zonal officers and tahsildars have been instructed to make all arrangements to accommodate people and organise food and water, he said.
As many as 3,126 first responders, 55 trained swimmers and 25 snake catchers have been identified. They will work in coordination with the official teams during exigencies, he said.
Mr. Anbuselvan said a 75-member team from the NDRF had been kept on standby at Cuddalore, Parangipettai and Chidambaram. The district administration has stocked adequate equipment and machinery including 276 earthmovers, 196 generators, in addition to life jackets, boats and searchlights. As many as 7,504 tonnes of rice, 1,056 tonnes of sugar and 348 tonnes of wheat have been kept ready, he said.
