Duraimurugan reviews rain preparedness

TIRUVALLUR: A review meeting chaired by Duraimurugan, Minister for Water Resources, to take stock of the projects taken up by the Public Works and Water Resources Department was conducted at the district Collectorate in Tiruvallur on Friday.

Department officials from 13 districts under Chennai zone were present at the meeting to discuss the various works taken up by the department and the progress levels of each project. Speaking at the meeting, he Water Resources Minister urged the officials to speed up the various plans that were implemented by the Water Resources Department. The Minister also underlined the need for ensuring synergy between various government departments. He also instructed officials to complete all the ongoing works soon.

The officials also discussed the preparedness for the upcoming northeast monsoon and discussed ideas to prevent inundation of various areas in Chennai by taking precautionary steps. “It is important to keep an eye on water bodies, monitor low-lying areas and river banks, speedy implementation of relief activities and ensure those living near water bodies are evacuated on need basis,” he said.

He also stated that efforts are underway to finalise a location to build a dam in Tiruvallur that would store all the excess water that comes in from Andhra Pradesh during heavy rains.