New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS): Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting on Tuesday through video conferencing with the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Advisor Lakshadweep and Secretaries of different ministries in view of the deep depression forming along the southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The Cabinet Secretary asked the state governments and central ministries to ensure that all necessary action is taken to minimise the damage and necessary preparations are made to restore essential services at the earliest.

The IMD Director General said that winds of different speeds are likely to batter the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep along with heavy to very heavy rainfall between December 2 and 4. He informed that as of now it is likely to damage crops and affect some essential services. There should be complete suspension of fishing activities up to December 4, he added.

The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Advisor, Lakshadweep briefed the NCMC about their preparedness and the arrangements made by the District Disaster Management Committees, warning to fishermen and deployment of rescue teams.

The Director General, NDRF, informed the members that teams have been positioned in these areas and the remaining teams have been kept on stand-by across Tamil Nadu.

The Secretaries from the Ministries of Civil Aviation, Telecommunication, Power, Home, NDMA and the representative of the Ministry of Defence also briefed the NCMC about their preparedness.