Cyclone Michaung: Tamil Nadu CM directs collectors of 12 coastal districts to evacuate people from low-lying areas

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Friday issued a slew of directions to the collectors of 12 coastal districts in the wake of the meteorology department forecasting a cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal.

It is expected that the storm would cross between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh with a wind speed of 80-90kmph gusting to 100kmph.

In a video conference with the collectors of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Vellore and Ranipet districts, the chief minister said the administrators should take up precautionary measures to effectively handle the impact of the storm.

The people of low-lying areas should be evacuated with a warning alert and accommodated in the government relief centres equipped with all amenities.

Tangedco must take action to prevent accidents due to power leakage during rain and floods.

“The teams must be ready with adequate equipment to remove fallen trees. The 24-hour emergency services of government hospitals must be ensured,” the chief minister said.

The district collectors were told to deploy multi-disciplinary zonal teams in flood prone areas and open community kitchens to provide food to the affected people.

The chief minister made a specific mention of traffic congestion during rain, stating that the police department must pay special attention to the problem and ensure that the congestion is reduced immediately by involving more traffic policemen. The district administration, local bodies, police and fire and rescue services should work in tandem during monsoon.

More attention must be paid to areas where stormwater inundation was reported in the last few days and flood water must be removed using motor pumps in large numbers.

“In order to effectively deal with the cyclone, and minimize the inconvenience, all necessary precautions must be taken,” the chief minister said.

The district collectors were told to immediately convey their specific requirements to the district ministers, chief secretary and departmental secretaries and assured the government’s support.