Vijay Reviews Monsoon Preparedness With Ministers, Officials

At a review meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister examined the precautionary measures to be taken in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai districts to tackle the monsoon.

For Greater Chennai Corporation, senior IAS officers have been appointed under the supervision of ministers to coordinate monsoon preparedness works across all zones.

Vijay directed the ministers and senior officials to inspect at least twice a week areas that had witnessed flooding during previous monsoons, as well as locations where preventive works are currently under way. Officials were instructed to identify shortcomings during these inspections and take immediate corrective measures before the onset of the monsoon.

He also ordered that coordination meetings involving officials from all departments be held in every district to ensure measures to tackle the monsoon.

In Chennai, the Corporation, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, police, fire and rescue services, health and family welfare, fisheries, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation and Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. have been asked to work in coordination.

The Chief Minister directed officials to remove water hyacinth from water bodies and desilt canals and stormwater drains to facilitate the quick discharge of rainwater. Unfinished works involving drinking water pipelines, sewage networks and roads should also be completed before the monsoon, he said.

With electrical safety being a major concern during heavy rains, the electricity department was instructed to identify and repair damaged or vulnerable power lines and weak electricity poles. Preventive measures should be taken to ensure that snapped wires do not result in loss of life during the rainy season, he said.

Officials were also asked to conduct field inspections in areas that had experienced severe waterlogging in the past and take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence. Adequate numbers of dewatering pumps should be kept ready for quickly draining stagnant water and equipment including power saws and earthmovers should be kept available to clear trees that may fall on roads.

Boats should also be kept ready in waterlogging-prone residential areas to facilitate the safe evacuation of residents, if required.

The Chief Minister further directed authorities to keep community halls and schools ready to accommodate people living in low-lying areas during emergencies. Community kitchens should also be kept operational so that people sheltered in relief camps can be provided with food and safe drinking water, he explained.

The review meeting was attended by rural development and water resources minister N. Anand, public works and sports development minister Aadhav Arjuna, health and family welfare minister, Dr. K.G. Arunraj, revenue and disaster management minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, natural resources minister, Dr. T.K. Prabhu, and senior officials, including chief secretary, Dr. M. Sai Kumar.

The Director General of Police, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, heads of departments and senior government and police officials also participated. Collectors of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai joined the meeting through videoconference.