Che, Sept 9:
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat to assess monsoon preparedness in Chennai and five other districts, directing multiple departments to intensify preventive works and ensure swift response to flooding and other rain-related emergencies.
The review covered Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai districts. Senior IAS officers have been deployed across Greater Chennai Corporation zones under the leadership of ministers to streamline relief and emergency operations.
Ministerial teams and senior officials have been instructed to conduct field inspections at least twice a week in flood-prone areas and at ongoing project sites. The objective is to identify operational gaps and address them immediately before the northeast monsoon intensifies.
A joint framework has been put in place involving the Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, police, fire and rescue services, health, fisheries, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited and Chennai Metro Rail.
The departments have been directed to remove water hyacinth from waterbodies, desilt canals and expedite pending works relating to roads, drinking-water supply and sewage pipelines. The measures are aimed at improving drainage and preventing waterlogging and urban flooding.
Particular attention has been given to electrical safety. TNPDCL has been instructed to replace power cables vulnerable to snapping and strengthen weak electricity poles to prevent electrocution during heavy rains.
Emergency equipment has also been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. The preparations include high-capacity dewatering pumps, chainsaws, heavy machinery and rescue boats for immediate deployment during emergencies.
Schools and community halls are being readied as relief centres. Community kitchens are also being equipped to provide hot meals and safe drinking water to people who may have to be evacuated from vulnerable areas.
Ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KG Arunraj and KA Sengottaiyan attended the meeting along with Chief Secretary M Saikumar, State police chief Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal and senior departmental officials. District Collectors participated through video conference.