Govt Sets September End Deadline for Monsoon Preparation Works
Particular emphasis was placed on deploying high-capacity motor pumps in advance in low-lying and severely waterlogging-prone areas
CHENNAI: The state government has directed all civic agencies and service departments to prepare for the northeast monsoon by completing all major works across Chennai and suburbs by the end of September, with special focus on waterlogging-prone locations, stormwater drain connectivity and emergency preparedness.
Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar chaired a review meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday with zonal monitoring officers and officials from departments involved in monsoon preparedness in the Greater Chennai Corporation, Avadi and Tambaram. The State government had decided to appoint ministers and monitoring officers at the zonal level to inspect monsoon preparations.
Particular emphasis was placed on deploying high-capacity motor pumps in advance in low-lying and severely waterlogging-prone areas, including Velachery, Ambattur SIDCO, Tiruvottiyur and Manali. Departments were directed to expedite the construction and interlinking of stormwater drains in areas where the drainage network remains incomplete, particularly along the ongoing Chennai Metro Rail construction sites. Desilting operations at points where stormwater drains connect with canals and rivers, as well as at river mouths, were also identified as a priority to ensure unhindered flow of floodwater.
According to the GCC, desilting work is underway across 1,671 km of stormwater drains, while silt has been cleared from 1,10,082 silt catch pits to improve the flow of rainwater.
The meeting also reviewed emergency preparedness, including the availability of boats and trained rescue personnel, the readiness of flood relief centres and community kitchens, and deployment of civic volunteers during heavy rainfall.
Officials were directed to speed up stormwater drain construction on key stretches, including Demellows Road, Nookampalayam and MRH Road.
The water resources department has been asked to speed up the desilting of rivers and canals, while the highways department will look after drainage works along State and national highways. The electricity department was directed to raise junction boxes above ground level, ensure the safety of underground cables and eliminate electrical leakages to prevent accidents during flooding.
