Ahead of NE Monsoon, Tamil Nadu official machinery on alert

Chennai: Ahead of the North East monsoon period which provides more of its annual rainfall for Tamil Nadu, the State Government has geared up the official machinery to remain on high alert and has identified 4,399 flood prone areas.

Chennai and several northern parts of the State receive the maximum rainfall during the North East Monsoon period October - December. The South West monsoon which had not invigorated the water sources, is likely to withdraw later this month.

Averring that Tamil Nadu government is fully prepared to face any situation arising out of the onset of North East monsoon, Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar, said, “We have identified and mapped about 4,399 places / areas, which fall in the very high vulnerable, high vulnerable, vulnerable and low & moderate vulnerable areas in 32 districts and zonal teams will be formed to for rescue and relief work.”

Hinting that more flood prone areas are likely to identified, the Minister on Sunday said separate teams comprising 8,624 persons have been formed to rescue cattle. Also, ministers would soon take up a review on preparedness, along with the district collectors and other officials, in the days to come.

Udayakumar who reviewed the preparatory work at the State level along with Additional Chief Secretaries: K. Satyagopal and Atulya Mishra and director, disaster management, D. Jagannathan, and launched a manual on disaster management. The strategy would be oriented towards pre-disaster, during disaster and post-disaster management, he said and added, “Our motto is no loss of life if calamity strikes.”

Focus would also be on preventing the spread of diseases during onset of monsoon. About 30,759 first-aid officers have been deployed in the State and of them 9,162 are women officers. He informed that people could call the toll free no.

1070 and get alerts and authenticated messages about cyclone or floods. Lauding  Satyagopal and other officials for effectively putting to use TN-SMART app to get immediate details and stay prepared for any calamities, the Minister said this app has been activated now.