Precautionary measures in place, says TN as 'Michaung' to cross coast Dec 5

Chennai: The state government on Sunday said all arrangements have been made to handle the situation as cyclonic storm 'Michaung' is likely to intensify and reach north Tamil Nadu coast on December 4 before its landfall on Tuesday in southern Andhra Pradesh.

The government declared Monday (Dec 4) a public holiday and urged private companies to encourage 'work from home' option for its employees in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts. The railways have cancelled a total of 118 trains.

However, essential services such as milk supply and healthcare facilities would be operational.

Chief Minister M K Stalin reviewed the preparatory measures at the state emergency operation centre here and said that 685 persons in total from vulnerable areas in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet districts have been housed in 11 relief camps.

Answering a question, he told reporters that, if needed, the Central government's support would be sought. He assured the people that all steps have been taken to tackle the situation.

As heavy rainfall is expected on Monday and Tuesday, the government said it has deployed disaster response force personnel in adequate numbers, and relief centres are also ready to house people of vulnerable areas.

The government, in an official release, said as many as 121 multipurpose centres and 4,967 relief camps with all basic amenities are ready in northern and other coastal regions of the state, besides the Cauvery delta areas.

In Chennai alone, 162 relief centres are ready and, in one such facility, 348 people have been housed. (PTI)