As the Northeast monsoon gains strength across Tamil Nadu, authorities have issued a heavy rainfall alert for several districts. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has convened a meeting with officials to assess the situation and ensure that robust precautionary measures are implemented ahead of the anticipated downpours.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has placed eight districts on ‘red alert’ for Tuesday, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in a 24-hour period. These districts include Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram. Chennai and its surrounding areas, along with districts like Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari, are on an ‘orange alert,’ signaling very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm.
In response to the alerts, Chief Minister Stalin has directed district collectors to prepare relief camps and ensure essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medicine are readily available for affected populations. He has also emphasized the need for immediate deployment of equipment like JCB machines, boats, motor pumps, trucks, and saws to mitigate potential damage caused by the heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin conducted an inspection of infrastructure upgrades in South Chennai aimed at improving waterway management. These projects include deepening and widening canals, constructing concrete-lined channels, and desilting areas where canals meet the sea to facilitate efficient water flow.
The persistent rains have also impacted agricultural activities in the Tirunelveli district, with farmers expressing concern over the harvesting of paddy crops. They highlighted the lack of respite between monsoons and the potential for significant crop loss if the rains continue, appealing for government assistance in prompt procurement of harvested paddy.