The district administration declared a holiday for all government and private schools in Cuddalore district on Friday anticipating heavy rains under the influence of Cyclone Gaja.
The official machinery has been placed on high alert and the administration has asked officials to take up emergency rescue operations in the vulnerable areas coordinating with various agencies.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force ( NDRF) each comprising of 40 members with power boats and other equipment for rescue and relief have been stationed in Chidambaram and Cuddalore.
With heavy rains forecast for the district, Collector V Anbuselvan appealed to the people to stay indoors after 6 p.m. Announcements were also made over public address systems asking people living in low-lying areas to move to cyclone shelters.
Shops closed
Most shops and business establishments across Cuddalore remained closed while the administration urged all private companies to ensure that the employees left home by 4 p.m.
The boat house operated by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation in Pichavaram remained closed for the second day because of the cyclone threat.
The Port Department has hoisted danger warning signal no. 9 at the Cuddalore port even as fishermen did not venture out into the sea for the second day.
Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Special Officer for Disaster Management, said that although the cyclone was expected to hit Nagapattinam coast, strong gales and heavy rainfall was expected in Cuddalore district.
The situation was being closely monitored, Mr. Bedi said.
The district administration had kept ready 12 long-range torchlights, 452 torchlights, 249 lifejackets, 276 earthmovers, 196 generators, 219 electric power saws and adequate stock of foodgrains had been procured to prepare food for those accommodated in cyclone shelters, Collector V. Anbuselvan added.