Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran (pictured) said there was no major damage as expected.
Chennai:
Cyclonic storm Mandaus, which crossed the coast near Mamallapuram, has weakened into a deep depression, but the weather system has affected the city and its adjoining areas, causing several trees to be uprooted.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said around 400 trees were uprooted in the city under the influence of a wind speed of 70 kmph when the weather system crossed the coast on the intervening night of December 9 and 10.
He said four people had died, without giving details.
Civic agencies including the Greater Chennai Corporation were involved in the removal of the fallen trees.
The Regional Meteorological Center Chennai said in a tweet, “The cyclonic storm MANDUS (meaning treasure box) has weakened into a deep depression off North Tamil Nadu coast. Moving nearly west-northwestwards and gradually intensifying during the afternoon of 10 December Until one will weaken in depression.” in the early hours of Saturday.
Stalin, who reviewed the situation in Kasimedu area, told reporters that the government had anticipated the situation and taken all preventive measures and hence major damage could be prevented.
“With advanced planning, this government has proved that any disaster can be managed,” he said.
Around 400 trees fell due to the impact of high wind speed. Several trees fell on electric poles, but the clean-up work was going on fast, he said. Around 25,000 civic workers were involved in various activities.
There was no water-logging in the city’s 22 subways and vehicular traffic remained smooth.
Rescue operations are being intensified in the neighboring districts of Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Villupuram.
Electricity poles and transformers were damaged due to the cyclone, power was snapped at 600 places and 300 of them have been restored. Stalin said that the rest of the work would be over by evening.
The chief minister said the damage was being assessed and central assistance would be sought if required.
Earlier, state Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said that over 9,000 people have been kept in 205 relief centres.
Between 6 am on Friday and 6 am today, 30 domestic and international flights were canceled as airport operations were affected due to the cyclone.
The runway of the airport was briefly closed in the early hours today.
In addition, nine outgoing flights were cancelled, while 21 incoming flights were diverted to other cities today.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)