Special Disaster Response Teams Formed as Cyclone Threatens Andhra-Tamil Nadu Coast

As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a cyclonic storm crossing South Andhra Pradesh and North Tamil Nadu between Chennai and Machilipatnam by December 4, Chennai’s Commissioner of Police, Sandeep Rai Rathore, has announced the formation of specialized district disaster response teams for the impending cyclone.

Commissioner Rathore emphasized proactive measures, introducing the ground-breaking concept of district disaster response teams, each comprised of highly trained personnel outfitted with boats, life jackets, and specialized rescue equipment. These teams, one for each district of Chennai, have been meticulously trained for emergency response by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

In addition to these teams, the Chennai police, along with a contingent of 18,000 personnel and 3,000 traffic police, home guards, and traffic wardens, have been deployed round-the-clock to address any exigencies. Notably, a police hospital is being inaugurated to cater to emergency medical needs.

Preparedness extends further with the establishment of a dedicated green corridor for swift ambulance movements. Moreover, the IMD’s warning of the deep depression escalating into a cyclonic storm by December 3 has prompted stringent precautions, including hoisting ‘cyclone warning cage No. 1’ across ports and the issuance of advisories about rough seas along the coastal regions.

The cyclone’s looming impact has resulted in visible changes at Velankanni Beach in Nagapattinam district, with the shoreline receding by 100 meters. As the northeast monsoon intensifies, heavy rains lash several districts in Tamil Nadu.

In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed officials to initiate preventive measures, including evacuations, in vulnerable areas. Chennai stands vigilant, having devised extensive plans and specialized teams to combat the foreseen cyclonic threat, ensuring readiness to address any adversity.