THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government received cyclone warning only at 12 noon on Thursday following which steps were taken to rescue people. Speaking to mediapersons after a high level meeting, the Chief Minister said there was some kind of misunderstanding that the government had not acted promptly despite getting cyclone warning in advance. “We need to understand that the government got cyclone warning only at 12 noon. Prior to that there was no cyclone warning issued. Only after getting specific cyclone warning from the authorities concerned that the state government can initiate follow up measures,” he said.
Mr Vijayan said after the government got the cyclone warning at 12 noon, it swung into action and took immediate decisions for rescue and relief operations.
When asked about reports that a Hyderabad based agency had given an alert on November 29, the Chief Minister said while the routine forecast was coming daily which calls fishermen to be watchful, there was no warning about cyclone formation. “I am saying this after clarifying with the authorities concerned. We can only act if they officially communicate about cyclone. On such matters there is already a system in place whereby information is provided to the fishermen. Even the daily message was transmitted on Wednesday. But there was no cyclone warning,” the chief minister said.
Mr Vijayan said the government had succeeded in rescuing majority of fishermen. “The state government understands the anxiety and concerns of coastal population. It will do whatever is possible to provide them relief and instil confidence them,” he added. The Chief Minister called upon political leaders, religious leaders, community leaers, social activists and all organisations to help the government in dealing with the situation.
