We are fully prepared for rain, says Tamil Nadu government

TNN | Nov 2, 2017, 01:18 IST

Chennai: Amid allegation from the opposition about poor monsoon preparedness, the state government on Wednesday said it was fully prepared to meet any exigencies that may arise due to heavy rains and resultant flooding. The government said that 33,612 water bodies owned by the public works department and that of local bodies across the state, had been de-silted so far much ahead of the monsoon. Incidentally, the state fixed a target of over 45,000 water bodies under the kudimaramathu, the traditional maintenance scheme with the support of local community.

"The water bodies could retain 1.75tmcft (thousand million cubic feet of water). As many as 22,538 channels and inlets too have been de-silted, besides eviction of 7,030 encroachments in water bodies to ensure free flow of water," K Satyagopal, commissioner of revenue administration and disaster management said. Thrust has been given to remove blockages beneath bridges and culverts to ensure road connectivity undisrupted during rains. "We are fully prepared from the district collector to the officials at the field-level. Action is taken on a war-footing manner," he added.

The inter-departmental zonal teams have been set up in all the districts for undertaking relief measures at the earliest, the officer said. The team comprising members of police, fire service, rural development, agriculture and municipal administration will be closely monitoring situation and exigencies arising out of heavy rains. "Since the coastal districts are receiving heavy rains, the focus has been on them," another official said. Going by the legacy data, the state government identified 4,399 areas depending on vulnerability last year. These areas, including 207 identified this year, have been linked to nearby relief centres for timely evacuation of affected people.

Separate teams have also been deployed in relief centres to render necessary assistance. Ensuring community participation in the rescue and relief operations, 23,325 volunteers have been roped in and given training this year. This includes 6,740 women and fishermen. "In addition, we have four teams of National Disaster Response Force and another 1,200 personnel trained exclusively in State Disaster Response Force for rescue measures," Satyagopal said. The state has not requested pre-positioning of NDRF teams still, but monitoring the developments with the regional meteorology department, Chennai. Chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan took stock of the situation at a high-level meeting with line departments and defence recently at Secretariat and "directed better coordination among all."