Tamil Nadu government fully prepared to face northeast monsoon, says Stalin

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday said the State government had taken all precautionary measures to face the northeast monsoon. He also directed officials to pay special attention and closely monitor areas prone to waterlogging in Chennai.

The Chief Minister chaired a review meeting with senior officials at the State Emergency Operations Centre at Ezhilagam in Chennai. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “Heavy rainfall has been recorded in Theni, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, and parts of the Nilgiris. There is no danger or risk at present. Since forecasts indicate heavy rainfall on October 21 and 22, we have already put in place precautionary measures.”

Mr. Stalin said that currently, there was no need to evacuate residents living along riverbanks or coastal areas to relief camps. However, all Collectors have been instructed to remain prepared, he added.

According to a press release, the onset of the northeast monsoon on October 16 brought widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu between October 16 and 18. Kanniyakumari, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Coimbatore, and the Nilgiris districts recorded an average rainfall of 12 mm.

The Chief Minister also reviewed, via video conference, the damage caused by heavy rainfall in Tiruvarur, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Coimbatore, and the Nilgiris districts, and assessed the precautionary measures in place. He directed district administrations to ensure the safety of residents in low-lying areas and along riverbanks and relocate them to relief camps if needed.

Mr. Stalin instructed officials to keep relief camps, with essential facilities such as food, drinking water, and medical services, ready. He directed authorities in Tiruvarur district to maintain uninterrupted paddy procurement and expedite transport of paddy bags procured at direct purchase centres to warehouses. He also reviewed the rainfall preparedness in Chennai and directed officials to pay special attention and closely monitor areas prone to waterlogging, the release added.