Cyclone Ditwah: Deputy CM Udhayanidhi reviews emergency measures; 10 more NDRF teams to be deployed across T.N.

Reservoir levels in Tamil Nadu stood at 85% as on November 29 night, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said while inspecting the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in the wee hours on Sunday (November 30, 2025).

During a press interaction in the wee hours, he said, “As a precautionary measure, 26 relief camps have been set up in districts where heavy rainfall is expected. Currently, around 1,836 people have been sheltered in these camps. They have been provided with essential amenities including drinking water, food. For those sheltered in the relief camps, five-kilogram rice packets and five-litre oil packets have been kept ready for distribution.”

As part of preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah, 16 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in coastal districts while 1,185 rescue boats have been kept ready, said Mr. Udhayanidhi.

Mr. Udhayanidhi reviewed call-centre logs, complaints on social media and action taken. He inspected tunnel-traffic monitoring through LED screens and surveillance cameras at the ICCC.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration M. Sai Kumar, Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Pradeep Yadav, Commissioner of Disaster Management Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation J. Kumaragurubaran and other officials were present.

10 additional NDRF teams

Earlier on Saturday (November 29) evening, Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the State Emergency Operations Centre in Chennai and took stock of the situation and preparedness in various districts.

He said, arrangements have been made to deploy 10 more teams of the NDRF in various parts of the State besides the 12 NDRF teams deployed across Tamil Nadu.

“As of now [Saturday evening], crops in about 20,000 hectare are under water. Once the water drains, the damage would be ascertained.”

Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and senior officials accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister.