North-East Monsoon: CM Stalin reviews monsoon preparedness ahead of red alert

CHENNAI: Ahead of torrential rain forecast by the met department for Chennai and the three adjoining districts for the next three days, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday reviewed the preparedness of the government machinery for the heavy downpour and issued various orders and advisories to the officials and the people.

Chief Minister Stalin also announced a rain holiday for education institutions in KTCC (Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai and Chengalpattu) districts on October 15 and advised IT employees to work from home from October 15 to 18.

Earlier, the commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation and collectors of the three adjoining districts apprised the CM of the precautionary measures undertaken by them.

A detailed statement issued by the government after the meeting said that the CM has ordered holiday for all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet on October 15 and asked the IT firms to advise its employees to work from October 15 to 18.

The CM also instructed the officials to station the NDRF and SDRF teams in vulnerable areas in advance and deploy boats in such areas today (Monday).

Officers appointed in-charge of various districts were also instructed to move to their respective districts and engage in rescue and relief operations along with the district administration.

Advising the authorities to increase the frequency of Metro Rail and MRTS services for the convenience of the people, the CM also asked Aavin to ensure uninterrupted supply of milk and milk products and food department officials to make sure that price of essential commodities do not inflate during the period.

Besides exhorting old age and destitute homes to stock adequate supplies, the CM also ordered officials to keep the relief camps ready and stock them with adequate supply of bread and water bottles in addition to shifting people in vulnerable areas to the relief camps in advance.

Among the instructions was opening of alternative routes to ease people's mobility during flooding and deployment of additional staff at control centres of the electricity department to ensure uninterrupted power generation and distribution during the rain.

Ministers of various departments, Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and heads of several departments took part in the review meeting.

Other instructions to officers

Take steps to shift and accommodate elderly people, differently abled, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers on priority basis in affected areas.

Keep the required number of motor pumps, chainsaws and earth movers among the equipment ready.

Keep adequate generators ready to ensure uninterrupted drinking water distribution.

Advisory to people

People living in low lying areas must move to relief camps set up by the Corporation and district administration.

Keep valuables and important documents insulated from water

Do not visit beaches, tourist attractions, places of worship and water bodies owing to heavy rain forecast

Stay away from snapped electricity cables

Do not believe rumours on social media. Act in accordance with the warnings issued by government officials.

Who said what?

Earlier, in his briefing to the CM about the monsoon preparedness, J Kumaragurubaran, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation said;

990 motor pumps and 57 tractors retrofitted with motor pumps and 36 motorised boats have been deployed in vulnerable areas in the city.

46 metric tons of bleaching powder and phenol have been adequately stocked.

169 relief camps, required number of kitchens and 59 earth movers, 272 chainsaws, 176 water pumps, 130 generators and 115 trucks have been kept ready.