Gear up the entire machinery to handle heavy rain, disaster risk reduction agency tells officials

The Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency has asked officials in five districts to gear up the entire machinery for undertaking adequate preparedness measures to handle any exigency from the heavy to heavy rainfall warning.

In a communication, the Agency has instructed the Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation and the Collectors of Chennai,  Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures for handling disasters. 

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.K.S.S.R.  Ramachandran visited the State Emergency Operations Centre in Chennai on Monday and reviewed the steps being taken for monsoon preparedness.

A total of 215 relief camps have been set up in the Chennai Corporation areas and arrangements have been made to supply food packets, drinking water, and medicine at the camps. Over 100 community kitchens have been set up to provide food at the camps.

Since October 22, food has been supplied to more than 4.09 lakh people living in low-lying areas. Over 2,000 pumps and more than 450 tree-cutting machines are kept ready. Over 22,000 conservancy workers and 2,100 workers of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, besides Corporation officials, are on standby for relief operations.