CM Vijay Reviews Monsoon Preparedness in Chennai and 5 Tamil Nadu Districts, Orders Multi-Department Action

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday to assess monsoon preparedness and flood prevention measures in Chennai and the districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai.

The meeting focused on strengthening preparedness, speeding up pending infrastructure works and ensuring a coordinated response to urban flooding and heavy rainfall.

Senior Officers Deployed for Flood Preparedness

To streamline relief and emergency operations across all Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) zones, senior IAS officers have been deployed under the leadership of ministers.

Ministerial teams and senior officials have been instructed to conduct field inspections at least twice a week in flood-prone areas and locations where monsoon-related infrastructure works are underway. The inspections are aimed at identifying operational gaps and ensuring that corrective measures are taken immediately.

Multiple Departments Join Monsoon Preparedness Drive

A joint coordination framework has been established involving the:

- Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC)

- Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB)

- Tamil Nadu Police

- Fire and Rescue Services

- Health Department

- Fisheries Department

- Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL)

- Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)

The departments have been directed to work together to expedite monsoon preparedness and flood mitigation measures.

Officials have been instructed to clear water hyacinth from waterbodies, desilt canals and speed up pending road, drinking water and sewage pipeline repair works to reduce the risk of urban flooding during the monsoon.

Power Infrastructure Safety Measures

The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited has been specifically directed to address electrical safety concerns ahead of heavy rainfall.

Officials have been asked to replace power cables vulnerable to snapping and strengthen weak electricity poles to reduce the risk of electrocution and power-related accidents during the monsoon season.

Emergency Equipment Pre-Positioned

Emergency response equipment is being positioned in vulnerable areas for quick deployment during floods and other monsoon-related emergencies.

The equipment includes:

- High-capacity dewatering pumps

-&n Chainsaws

- Heavy machinery

- Rescue boats

Authorities are also preparing schools and community halls as relief centres. Community kitchens are being equipped to provide hot meals and safe drinking water to people who may require temporary shelter during flooding.

Ministers and Senior Officials Attend Meeting

The review meeting was attended by ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KG Arunraj and KA Sengottaiyan, along with Chief Secretary M Saikumar, State Police Chief Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal and senior department secretaries.

District Collectors from the concerned districts participated in the meeting through video conference.

The latest measures are aimed at strengthening Tamil Nadu`s monsoon preparedness, improving inter-departmental coordination and ensuring faster relief and rescue operations in flood-prone areas.