CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s ‘108’ Emergency Management Service operated on high alert mode during the Deepavali festival on Monday (October 20), witnessing a sharp 48% spike in emergency cases compared to normal days. The surge, largely driven by fire accidents, burn injuries, assaults, and vehicular trauma, prompted authorities to deploy the entire ambulance fleet and implement round-the-clock response mechanisms across the State.

To ensure seamless emergency response during the festival, the scheduled services of all ambulances were postponed to maintain 100% fleet availability. Ambulances were strategically positioned in identified high-risk hotspots, while Emergency Response Centres for 108, 104, and 102 operated with full staffing in three shifts from October 19. Support staff also worked

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