Heavy rains and storm due to #vardah. I request everyone to avoid going outdoors and be safe.

DMK leader M.K. Stalin issued an urgent public advisory on December 12, 2016, appealing to the people of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and surrounding coastal districts to stay indoors and observe safety precautions as Cyclone Vardah made landfall. Warning that the severe cyclonic storm was accompanied by torrential rains and destructive winds reaching speeds over one hundred kilometers per hour, Stalin urged citizens to prioritize personal safety.

Stalin advised residents to avoid stepping outdoors, keep away from loose hoardings, electric poles, and old trees, and ensure adequate stockpiles of drinking water, dry provisions, and emergency medicines. He requested citizens living in low-lying coastal areas or vulnerable dwellings to cooperate with evacuation teams and move promptly to designated municipal relief shelters. Stalin emphasized that personal vigilance and adherence to official safety guidelines were essential to minimize loss of life during natural calamities.

The opposition leader assured the public that DMK functionaries and disaster volunteer networks were placed on high alert to assist citizens during emergencies. Stalin appealed to community organizations and youth groups to monitor their local neighborhoods safely and extend mutual support. He expressed hope that collective caution and preparedness would protect citizens from the storm's fury.