CM Stalin Reviews Cyclone Relief Measures in Tamil Nadu

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.K. Stalin, conducts review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Center through video conferencing with District Collectors of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.K. Stalin, yesterday (13.12.2024), visited the State Emergency Operations Center at Ezhilagam to oversee and review the measures being undertaken in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi districts in response to the recent heavy rains. He conducted a video conference with the Revenue Administration Commissioner/Additional Chief Secretary, Mr. Ramesh Lakhani, IAS, and the Principal Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Ms. S. Amudha, IAS, as well as the District Collectors of the aforementioned districts.

On December 7, 2024, a low-pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a deep depression on December 10, 2024. It subsequently approached the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, resulting in heavy rainfall across several parts of the state.

In response, instructions were issued to the Collectors of affected districts, and precautionary measures were discussed during a meeting held on December 10, 2024, with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, and Collectors of 17 districts via video conferencing. Disaster preparedness and response strategies were reviewed, and guidance was provided.

Following the directives of the Honorable Chief Minister, monitoring officers were dispatched to affected districts to coordinate precautionary measures and relief operations effectively.

On December 12, 2024, at 8:30 PM, the Honorable Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Mr. KKSSR Ramachandran, chaired a meeting from the State Emergency Operations Center with the Collectors of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi via video conference to assess the situation and instruct on rescue and relief measures.

Rainfall Update (as of 8:30 AM, 13.12.2024):

• Cumulative Rainfall (in cm):
  • Tenkasi: 16.3
  • Ariyalur: 15.9
  • Mayiladuthurai: 14.6
  • Tirunelveli: 10.5
  • Thoothukudi: 9.8
  • Cuddalore: 9.5
  • Perambalur: 9.3
  • Virudhunagar: 7.3
  • Chengalpattu: 6.3

In the past 24 hours, extremely heavy rainfall of 20-50 cm was recorded in 49 locations across districts such as Tirunelveli, Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Mayiladuthurai, and Chengalpattu. Moderate to heavy rainfall was reported in 139 locations (10-20 cm) and 217 locations (6.5-10 cm).

Precautionary Measures:

• Surplus water was released from Poondi, Pichatur, and Sathanoor reservoirs with prior alerts issued to residents. Additionally, releases from Chembarambakkam, Poondi, and Veeranam reservoirs were undertaken after issuing necessary warnings.
• The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places in Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli districts. As a result, precautionary evacuations were initiated in flood-prone areas near the Tamirabarani River.
• Relief camps have been established, accommodating 2,034 individuals, and essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medical assistance have been arranged.

Casualties and Damages:

• Two fatalities were reported due to wall collapses in Ariyalur and Ramanathapuram districts, and two more were caused by electrocution in Sivagangai and Ranipet districts.
• 117 livestock deaths were recorded in 10 districts, and 438 houses were damaged across 20 districts.
• Educational institutions were declared closed in several districts, including Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure the immediate removal of stagnant water from low-lying areas and provide adequate facilities, including food, drinking water, and medical aid, to those in relief camps. Senior ministers and officers have been dispatched to oversee relief efforts in the worst-affected districts.