Tamil Nadu rain: Evacuate people from low-lying areas, Stalin tells officials

CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday held a review meeting with the senior officials on monsoon preparedness as the India Meteorology Department forecast very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu due to the onset of northeast monsoon. Among major dams/reservoirs, 43 reservoirs are 75% to 100% full and 17 reservoirs are 50% to 75% full.
In a video conference with the collectors of 21 districts, and senior bureaucrats, the chief minister issued a slew of directions, including the constitution of inter-zonal teams for continuous monitoring of areas that would be affected. Educational institutions, oil companies and telecom service providers should remain ready, besides the rescue teams to reach out to the affected areas.
“The chief minister also told the officials to evacuate people from low-lying areas, accommodate them in government relief centres and provide basic requirements. Priority should be given to elders, disabled, pregnant women and children,” a government release said.
Ministers Duraimurugan, K N Nehru, KKSSR Ramachandran and P K Sekar Babu, Greater Chennai Corporation mayor R Priya and others took part in the meeting. The administrative machinery should ensure that old/weak compound walls were removed. Health and family welfare department should take measures to prevent communicable diseases and hold medical camps, while district collectors store the procured paddy safely in direct procurement centres in the respective areas.
The elected representatives along with government officials should work in tandem to ensure relief measures reach out the needy.
The chief minister told the officials to create awareness about loss of lives due to thunder and lightning during rain. They should keep necessary water pumps, tree cutting tools and sandbags ready in flood-prone areas. Precautionary steps must be taken by identifying areas that are prone to landslides and rockslides.
The public can reach the 24/7 toll-free helplines of the district emergency control centres (1077) and state emergency operation centre (1070).
“The public should also protect themselves from communicable diseases, drink boiled water, handle electrical appliances with care and extend support to the precautionary measures of the government. Fishermen should take note of the advisories of the meteorology department,” the release quoting the chief minister said.