GCC increases relief centres to 215 in view of heavy rain forecast for Oct. 22

As the city is expected to receive heavy rain on October 22 and 23, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has increased the number of relief centres from 116 to 215.

“This year, the GCC has installed gensets for uninterrupted power supply in all the relief centres. We have also made arrangements to provide mats, blankets, mosquito coils, and food at these centres,” an official said. The civic body has also set up as many as 106 cooking centres to supply food free of cost.

Residents have been requested to call GCC helpline 1913 to get details about the nearest relief centre in each of the 15 zones.

Details about the location of the relief centres and the mobile numbers of officials in charge will be shared online by the Corporation.

Many of the large relief centres, such as the Government Higher Secondary School on Rajiv Gandhi Salai in Sholinganallur, are capable of accommodating at least 3,000 residents, officials said.

Many famous halls, including Pitty Thyagaraya Hall in T. Nagar and Amma Arangam in Shenoy Nagar, private auditoriums and schools have been converted into relief centres.

Meenakshi School in TVS Colony in ward 89 can accommodate 110 residents, and Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, TNHB Seventh Block, in ward 91 can accommodate 300 residents.

St. Antony’s School at Selvam Nagar in Pallikaranai can shelter 500 residents in ward 189 of Perungudi zone; Thanthai Periyar Government Higher Secondary School on Kalaimagal Street in Puzhuthivakkam, 300 residents in ward 186; and St. Francis Xavier High School in Saidapet, 550 residents in ward 169 of Adyar zone.

Chennai Higher Secondary School at Maduvinkarai in Velachery can house 1000 residents of ward 172; Annai Velankanni College on Hospital Road in Saidapet, 900 residents; Infant Jesus Matriculation School at Labour Colony in Guindy, 200 residents in ward 168; Akshata Mahal on Karuneegar Street in Nerkundram, 150 residents; Seethalakshmi Thirumana Mandapam in Maduravoyal, 400 residents. 

Temporary arrangements are being made to fix missing links of storm-water drains, an official added.