Cyclone makes silent landfall, light rain in Tamil Nadu

CUDDALORE: Cyclone Nada, which weakened into a deep depression, made landfall off Karaikal coast on Friday morning without causing any major damage in the district and Karaikal regions. Cuddalore district machinery has been on high alert to tackle the nature's onslaught ever since the Met department issued a cyclone warning.
Tamil Nadu agricultural production commissioner and secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, who visited various parts of the district, including Silver Beach, in presence of collector (Cuddalore) T P Rajesh, on Friday, morning told reporters that the situation was closely monitored until the cyclone made landfall.
He said officials ensured that the 2,224 people, who were shifted to shelters across the district, stayed indoors. The district administration has set up 42 cyclone shelters in addition to 14 multi-purpose evacuation centres. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea as it will continue to remain rough and sky will remain cloudy. They were asked to anchor their boats following all safety precautions to prevent damage to the vessels and fishing nets.
Bedi said two teams of National disaster response force (NDRF) and one team of state disaster response force (SDRF) that reached Cuddalore district will stay until normalcy is restored. One NDRF team was stationed at Cuddalore town while the other at Chidambaram. The SDRF team was at Parangipettai. The teams deputed by Tamil Nadu generation and distribution corporation (Tangedco) and National Highways will be stationed in the district until further orders.
Rajesh said the district administration will continue to be on high alert and maintain vigil as the Met department has predicted moderate rain coupled with wind with a velocity of 25km/hour to 30km/hour.
"The administration has not disbanded the teams that will continue its vigil. Cyclone shelters and multi-purpose evacuation centres are equipped with necessary facilities to accommodate displaced people," said Rajesh.
He said 30 teams will continue to patrol the flood-prone regions of the district. The administration has stocked 1.5tonnes of milk powder and 7,000 litres of milk to supply to the needy people in case of emergencies.