CM Vijay Reviews Preparedness to Tackle Heavy Rain
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said the water had been cleared from all 35 locations using motor pumps deployed as part of its precautionary measures
CHENNAI: Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday reviewed Chennai’s preparedness for the northeast monsoon and directed officials of all departments to work in coordination in view of the forecast of very heavy rainfall, following intense overnight showers that inundated 35 locations across the city.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said the water had been cleared from all 35 locations using motor pumps deployed as part of its precautionary measures. Trees that fell at 22 locations were also removed, restoring traffic movement.
During his visit to the GCC’s Integrated Command and Control Centre at Ripon Buildings, the Chief Minister reviewed rainfall data, the monitoring of subways, canals and river mouths, and the action taken on public complaints. He instructed officials to respond to complaints promptly and commended civic and other departmental personnel for their work following Saturday night’s heavy rain.
The civic body said rainwater had been pumped out of all 22 subways in the city to ensure smooth traffic movement. It also reported that food was distributed to 13,500 people in areas affected by waterlogging on Sunday morning.
The GCC has kept 227 temporary relief centres ready to accommodate residents of low-lying areas and 112 centralised kitchens equipped with provisions to prepare and distribute food.
For rescue and relief operations, 1,189 vehicles and machines have been kept ready. The inventory includes 676 high-capacity motor pumps owned by the corporation, 134 rented pumps with a capacity of 100 HP each, 648 tractor-mounted pumps and 109 water-collection tanks.
The corporation has also kept 36 boats ready, while the Fisheries Department has made 97 boats available for evacuating people from low-lying areas. Equipment for clearing fallen trees includes 15 Shaktiman chainsaws, 231 power saws, 52 telescopic saws and tree-cutting equipment mounted on five vehicles.
The Chief Minister asked all departments to intensify preparedness and coordinate their operations in view of the very heavy rainfall warning.
Ministers Aadhav Arjuna, Dr. K. G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, Rajmohan, C. Ramesh and Dr R. Kumar, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, senior officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, police, Water Resources Department and other agencies, and GCC Commissioner Dr G.S. Sameeran attended the review meeting.
