Chennai braces for early northeast monsoon, relief centres set up

The Greater Chennai Corporation is ramping up monsoon preparedness as the northeast monsoon is expected to hit the city between mid-October and November. Greater City Mayor Priya Rajan confirmed that precautionary measures have been taken to mitigate the impact of heavy rains predicted during this period.
“Monsoon rains are forecast to be excessive this year. While last year, severe rainfall occurred in December, this time it’s expected earlier, in November,” stated the Mayor. In light of this, the city municipal corporation has halted stormwater drainage projects in new areas, except for critical zones. Relief centres, community kitchens, and volunteers are also being organised to respond effectively to potential flooding.
Rajan said that low-lying areas have been identified, work is done in most places. Currently, flood mitigation efforts are underway in regions like Kosasthalaiyar and Kovalam. “Work is in progress to complete missing links,” she said.
Additionally, 36 new boats have been bought to assist with flood rescue operations, with six already deployed to high-risk zones.
Chief Minister MK Stalin held a review meeting on Monday with top officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Chief Secretary Muruganantham, to discuss the state’s monsoon preparedness. Stalin highlighted the increasing unpredictability of rainfall patterns due to climate change, stressing the importance of being proactive to safeguard basic infrastructure from severe damage.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast above-average rainfall for northern Tamil Nadu, while southern districts may receive normal or below-average rainfall. As the northeast monsoon approaches, both the government and the people are bracing for potential challenges.
Last year, Tamil Nadu faced devastating rainfall during the northeast monsoon, with some regions, such as Kalyanapattinum and Tirunelveli, experiencing record-breaking downpours and severe flooding.