The recent guideline and the circular issued by the K Satyagopal, commissioner of revenue administration and disaster management has urged the district collectors to approach the cyclone alerts in a phased manner covering four stages including pre-cyclone watch, cyclone alert, cyclone warning and post landfall. 

According to the guideline, the second stage of cyclone alert should be given when the storm is about 500 kilometres or 48 hours before the land fall and the third staged cyclone warning should begin when the storm is 200 kilometres which is usually 12 hours before cyclone hits the coast. 

According to revenue administration sources, the usual practice is to follow the annual flood mitigation plan which focuses on low lying areas vulnerable to flooding. In case of squalls and storms a different approach and speedy mechanism is required. Based on the Vardah experiences, the cyclone road map is refined and brought in as a cyclone action plan. For the year 2018, the cyclone action plan is ready along with the monsoon action plan. 

“The regular practice is to have an annual monsoon plan of action which also deals with cyclone and other disasters. With TamilNadu periodically facing the threat of cyclones and gale winds, the action plan has been revised with additional instructions,” K Satyagopal told DT Next. 

A check list with time table has been sent to all district collectors under which vulnerable areas should be identified and staffs need to be trained by September 28, he said. The collectors have also been briefed to keep the machine and men ready by the end of September. They have to be positioned at identified areas once the first spell of monsoon sets in, the senior official added.

Meanwhile, Chennai Corporation as part of the monsoon preparatory work and for ensuring free flow of the Cooum and other canals in Chennai during monsoon, the fishing of plastic from its major canals has intensified.