'VARDHA' IN 2016, 'OCKHI' IN 2017 AND 'GAJA' IN 2018: TN RESCUE FORCES READY FOR 2019

In order to save the state from possible damages that may occur out of North-East Monsoon rains, 7, 535 firefighters have been brought on duty to carry out rescue operations across Tamil Nadu.

Special alert has been given to low-lying areas by sending additional forces. Moreover, officers who are on vacation have also been called to strengthen the rescue forces. The State Government has appointed IAS officers to 31 districts across Tamil Nadu to oversee precautionary measures for North-East Monsoon.

Districts including Tuticorin, Salem, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Tirunelvelli, Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Nilgiris, Tirupur and Vellore have been specifically alerted and 331 rescue teams across all the cities are ready to go anytime.

The directors of the rescue department said, "We were quick enough to carry out rescue operations during cyclones such as Vardha (2016) , Ockhi (2017), and Gaja (2018). We saved a lot of lives from low-lying areas, removed scrapped trees and acted until normalcy was restored. Similarly, we are prepped up looking forward to this year's North-East Monsoon".

Soldiers with swimming expertise have been deployed in four districts such as Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai. 8 Rowboats made of glass leaves, 8 Motorboats, Live-saving plankton boats, 86 plankton boats equipped with canopies, 13 flexible rubber motorboats, equipment to identify people who are stuck in debris and 111 heavy-duty water excavation pumps are made ready to face North-East monsoon rains.