Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has directed officials to complete all ongoing North-East monsoon preparedness works in Chennai and its suburbs by September-end, with Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar calling for faster action to strengthen flood prevention measures.
The directions cover stormwater drains, rivers, canals, drainage connectivity, flood relief centres and electrical safety ahead of the monsoon.
1,671 Km of Stormwater Drains Being Desilted
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is currently carrying out desilting across 1,671 km of stormwater drains. Work has also been completed in 1,10,082 silt catch pits.
Similar preparedness measures have been ordered in suburban areas. Officials have been asked to give particular attention to flood-prone locations including Velachery, Ambattur SIDCO, Tiruvottiyur and Manali.
The focus is to ensure that drainage networks can handle heavy rainfall and reduce waterlogging during the North-East monsoon.
Drainage Connectivity Gaps to Be Addressed
Officials have also been instructed to identify and fix gaps in stormwater drainage connectivity. Special attention has been sought in areas where Chennai Metro Rail works are underway and along highways.
The Water Resources Department has been directed to speed up the desilting of rivers and canals and remove obstructions at vulnerable points.
Pending drainage works on important stretches, including Demellows Road, Nookampalayam and MRH Road, have also been ordered to be expedited.
Focus on Flood-Prone Areas
The deadline comes as Chennai and its surrounding areas prepare for the North-East monsoon, which can bring intense rainfall and flooding.
Completing drainage and desilting works before the rains become intense is expected to improve the city’s ability to move excess water through existing networks.
Coordination between civic bodies and departments such as Water Resources, Highways and Chennai Metro will also be important where infrastructure projects intersect with drainage routes.
Electrical Safety and Relief Centres
The Chief Secretary also stressed that there should be no loss of life due to electrical leakage during the monsoon. Officials have therefore been asked to ensure appropriate safety measures.
Flood relief centres and community kitchens will also be inspected and equipped with the facilities required to support residents during emergencies.
These preparations are aimed at ensuring that relief arrangements can be activated quickly if heavy rainfall causes flooding or disruption.
Review Covers Chennai and Suburbs
The directions were issued during a review meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Preparedness across the Greater Chennai, Avadi and Tambaram corporations was reviewed with zonal monitoring officers and senior officials from several departments and agencies.
The review brought together officials from:
- Water Resources
- Highways
- Electricity
- Revenue and Disaster Management
- Chennai Metro Rail
- Chennai Metro Water
The multi-department review reflects the need for coordinated action, particularly in areas where drainage, roads, metro construction and water infrastructure overlap.
September Deadline for Ground-Level Preparedness
With September-end set as the deadline, officials now have a limited window to complete pending works before the monsoon intensifies.
For Chennai residents, timely completion of these measures could mean better drainage capacity, fewer obstructions in waterways and improved emergency preparedness during heavy rainfall.
The government’s emphasis on desilting, drainage connectivity, electrical safety and relief infrastructure indicates a broader effort to shift from reactive flood management to advance monsoon preparedness.
