Puducherry braces itself up after cyclone alert

Puducherry braces itself up after cyclone alert Puducherry, Apr 26 (PTI): Puducherry is expected to get heavy rain during the next few days due to a low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal which could transform into a cyclone Fani. Territorial Chief Minister V Narayanasamy held discussions with officials of various departments, including Revenue and Disaster Management, along with his ministerial colleagues, after the sounding of the alert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued the alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that a cyclone would hit the coastal areas on April 30 triggering heavy rainfall during the subsequent days. "Puducherry is bracing itself up after the IMD issued the alert," the Chief Minister told reporters after the meeting.

Narayanasamy said that control rooms would be in place at the Collectorate and a few other departments, including that of agriculture, to respond to calls for help. He said fishermen have been asked not to venture out into the sea.

He said the departments of agriculture, public works, local administration, fisheries and revenue and disaster management have been geared up in the wake of the forecast of the cyclone. "I and ministers would fan out to different areas of Puducherry and Karaikal regions to monitor the rehabilitation and relief works. All the staff who have gone on leave should report back immediately," he said.

Chief Secretary and other officials have already held a series of meetings to face the situation, the Chief Minister said. Those living in low-lying areas would be evacuated from Saturday to safer places as a precautionary measure, the Chief Minister said.

Local Administration Minister A Namassivayam and Revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan held a joint meeting of officials of their departments to work out a roadmap to rise up to any exigency.