Tamil Nadu Sets Up Expert Advisory Panel to Assess Impacts of Strong El Nino
The committee consists of experts with specialised experience in the areas of climate change, disaster management, environment, coastal resource management, urban infrastructure, etc
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced the setting up of an expert advisory committee to monitor and assess the potential impacts of strong El Nino on a scientific basis and to recommend appropriate precautionary and disaster management measures.
The committee consists of experts with specialised experience in the areas of climate change, disaster management, environment, coastal resource management, urban infrastructure, etc.
The move follows an alert sounded by the Additional Chief Secretary /Commissioner of Revenue Administration that there is a high probability of a severe El Nino event developing in 2026.
Consequently, the Southwest Monsoon rainfall could be below normal, potentially affecting water inflow into the Cauvery River and irrigation facilities.
Furthermore, extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and flooding are anticipated during the Northeast Monsoon season and hence, the proposal for constituting an expert advisory committee to advise to Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA) on the steps to be taken by the government to address the challenges posed by strong El Nino, the government said.
Accordingly, a Government Order has been issued on July 28 stating that the Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Revenue Administration and State Relief Commissioner, Chepauk, will be the committee chairman.
The members drawn from diverse fields of expertise are : Prof S Kanmani, HoD, Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University, Balaji Narasimhan, Professor, Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Madras, Arivudai Nambi Appadurai, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, TN Governing Council on Climate Change, IIT Madras, Prof Ramesh Ramachandran, Advisor, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company expert member, R Venkatesan, expert member, State Environment Appraisal Committee, J K Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, and R Pradeep John, senior manager, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited.
"The committee shall monitor the rainfall and drought situation, identify vulnerable areas and advice regarding early warning systems in the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency. The committee shall advise on the drought mitigation measures and flood mitigation measures in the vulnerable areas to ensure adequate preparedness in time, to face any kind of disaster," the GO said.
The committee will function in TNDRRA for the period of 2026-27 and 2027-28.