Ramanathapuram/Sivaganga
As the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the low pressure area in the southeast Bay of Bengal would develop into cyclone – ‘Fani’, Collectors of the two districts held high-level meetings with officials and asked them to gear up disaster management, when the cyclone hit the coast.
Addressing the cyclone precautionary meeting with heads of all departments here on Friday, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao said as the IMD had warned widespread rainfall in the coastal districts of the State, the officials should take all precautionary measures to tackle the situation and prevent loss of properties and lives.
Referring to good coordination among all departments during the Gaja cyclone threat in November last, Mr. Rao said the officials should display a similar coordination and focus on 39 places, identified as low-lying areas in the district. He asked fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea till further notice.
He also advised officials to be ready for undertaking relief and rescue operations in the event of any disaster. The officials should keep ready earth movers and other equipment to take up relief operations and mitigate the sufferings of the people.
Mr. Rao said all the 23 multi-purpose cyclone relief centres should be kept ready to accommodate affected people. All essential items, milk and medicine should be adequately stocked in the relief centres, he said.
Officials should also ensure drinking water and toilet facilities in the centres, he said.
In Sivaganga, Collector J. Jayakanthan addressed the officials and asked them to be ready to meet any eventuality. He asked the officials to make field visits and identify the vulnerable areas and prepare for relief and rescue measures. Rural development, urban and rural local body officials should ensure drinking water facility and pump out water in low-lying areas.
People could contact the control room by calling the toll-free number ‘1077’ for alerting officials and seeking assistance, he said. District Revenue Officers S. Muthumari (Ramanathapuram), G. Latha (Sivaganga) and senior officials were present.