The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Administration, people in a state of preparedness

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 10, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Administration, people in a state of preparedness

V. Jayanth

District Collectors sound "full alert"

CHENNAI: After at least four major systems hit the Tamil Nadu coast bringing torrential rain for five weeks, the State administration and people in the coastal districts are preparing to face cyclone `Fanoos,' forecast to cross the coast between Vedaranyam and Pondicherry on Saturday noon.

District Collectors, starting from Thanjavur and extending up to Chennai, have sounded "full alert." Schools and colleges were closed from Friday, except in Chennai. Cyclone shelters, government schools and public places such as marriage halls have been kept ready in various places to open relief centres when people move out of their homes.

The revenue authorities have advised people in the coastal hamlets and vulnerable areas of towns to move to safer places if they do not want to go to the relief centres. Arrangements for supply of food packets have been made, a senior official said here.

In the towns, many residents of areas that were flooded in the previous spells of rain have moved out on their own to houses of friends or relatives for the weekend.

Even in Chennai, residents of areas such as Madipakkam started moving out in the morning when it was known that `Fanoos' was heading for the Tamil Nadu coast. Their major concern seemed to relate to security - the possible looting that could take place if streets and apartment complexes are vacated.

Fishermen cautioned

With the Meteorology Department issuing periodic warnings and weather bulletins, the Fisheries Department and the district authorities urged fishermen in the north coastal districts not to venture into the sea, which was very rough. Major and minor ports put up their signals.

Whatever be the state of preparedness, district authorities along the coast are worried about the aftermath.

"This is coming just at a time when many of the affected people were returning to their homes. We have not seen anything like this. We are trying to do our best. But there are natural limitations. The soil cannot absorb any more water and the physical infrastructure is in disarray. We only hope the rain stops in a day and does not cause further damage," a District Collector said over telephone.

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