Cyclone alert: Tamil Nadu braces for impact, heavy rains to lash the state
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Tamil Nadu is on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that a depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, expected to evolve into a cyclonic storm by November 27.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened a high-level meeting at the Secretariat to oversee precautionary measures, deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State disaster teams to vulnerable districts, including Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore.
Several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur, experienced mild to heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Coastal areas such as Cuddalore and Cauvery delta districts like Nagapattinam were particularly affected. The downpour led to severe traffic congestion in Chennai, notably on the OMR Road, and caused waterlogging in many areas. Additionally, flight operations faced delays, with seven flights experiencing landing setbacks.
To ensure essential services remain uninterrupted, state-run Aavin announced measures to maintain milk supply and declared that eight of its parlours in Chennai will operate round-the-clock.
During a virtual review, Chief Minister Stalin instructed district officials to ensure relief centres are well-equipped and to evacuate residents from low-lying areas as a precaution. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for any eventuality, with relief camps, medical teams, and first responders on standby.
Two NDRF teams have been dispatched to Thanjavur, while combined NDRF and State disaster teams have been deployed to Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, and boats already at sea have been directed to the nearest harbours. Emergency operation centres at both state and district levels are functioning round-the-clock.
According to the IMD, the deep depression is currently located approximately 770 km south-southeast of Chennai and 570 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam. The system is projected to move north-northwestward, intensifying into a cyclonic storm while skirting the Sri Lankan coast over the next two days.
The IMD has issued a very heavy rainfall warning for districts including Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Cuddalore.