Depression to cross TN coast as severe cyclonic storm on Nov

25, TN govt reviews situation
(Eds: Adding CM's statement, details)
(Rpting after adding name of district in 13th para)
Chennai, Nov 23 (PTI) With the depression over the Bay
of Bengal likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by
Tuesday and cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm a day
after, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday reviewed the
situation, asking the respective district administrations to
be on guard.
It announced suspension of inter and intra-district bus
services in seven districts from Tuesday, till further orders.
Trains were partially and fully cancelled in some districts.
The depression over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay
of Bengal moved west-northwestwards a speed of 11 kmph and lay
centred at 1130 hrs of Monday over the same region, about 520
km east-southeast of Puducherry and 560 km southeast of
Chennai, the IMD said.
The depression is very likely to intensify into a
cyclonic storm during next 24 hours, the India Meteorological
Department (IMD) said in a bulletin.
"It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and
Mamallapuram around November 25 afternoon as a severe
cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to
120 kmph," it said.
Under its influence, widespread rainfall/thunderstorm
were "very likely" over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal
during November 24 to 26, the IMD warned.
Isolated extremely heavy rainfall was very likely over
Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Karaikal, Nagapattinam,
Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Perambalur, Kallakurichi, Puducherry,
Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu between Wednesday
and Thursday.
As a result, a high alert has been sounded in
Nagapattinam and fishermen have been asked not to venture
into the sea till November 26.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who held a
review meeting here, asked his cabinet colleagues and
officials to remain fully alert and take appropriate
precautionary measures.
At the "NIVAR Cyclone" review meeting, a number of
directions were issued, he later said in a statement.
These included officials of various departments being on
standby with required equipment, earth movers, trucks and
other machinery from Monday onwards in Pudukottai, Cuddalore,
Nagapattinam, Tanjavur, Tiruvarur, Villupuram and
Chengalpattu districts, he said.
Evacuation of people in vulnerable areas, facilities,
including supply of food in relief camps, safeguarding boats
and nets of fishermen, taking up fogging operations,
monitoring water levels in big lakes and provision of mobile
communication units should be ensured, he said.
Further, since the cyclone is slated to cross the coast
in north Tamil Nadu, six NDRF teams should be stationed in
Cuddalore and two in Chennai with required equipment, he said.
He announced suspension of inter and intra-district bus
services in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tanjavur, Tiruvarur,
Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Pudukottai districts from 1 PM on
Tuesday till further orders and appealed the people to avoid
travel by own vehicles except for essential requirements.
People should stock themselves with torch lights, candles
and matchboxes. They should also avoid venturing out during
gusty winds, he added.
Revenue Minister R B Udayakumar and Electricity Minister
P Thangamani expressed preparedness of their ministries to
respond to any challenges arising due to the cyclone.
Udayakumar told reporters that all arrangements are in
place to face the cyclone and special attention will be given
to follow social distancing norms in the relief shelters
owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those living in low lying areas should immediately shift
to relief camps, he said.
Thangamani said power supply will be cut off when the
storm crosses the coast on November 25, as a precaution.
Cuddalore district has been given priority due to heavy
rains.
About 1.5 lakh electric poles are available with the
government, he added. PTI JSP SA APR
ADMINISTRATOR
APR
ADMINISTRATOR

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)