The Tamil Nadu government has formed a seven-member expert panel to study the possible impact of El Nino and recommend precautionary measures for managing drought and flood risks, it told the Madras High Court on Wednesday.
The government disclosed the panel’s formation while responding to a public interest litigation filed by advocate Arularasu. The petition sought the creation of an expert committee to examine the measures required to prepare for the effects of what it described as “Super El Nino”.
The case was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan. Appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, its representatives told the court that an order had already been issued to establish a committee of seven experts.
According to the government’s submission, the panel will study the impact of El Nino and provide recommendations on steps to be taken to deal with drought and flood-related damage. The disclosure places climate-related risk assessment within an administrative process rather than leaving the issue solely to litigation or emergency response.
The report supplied to Urban Acres does not identify the seven experts, specify the departments or institutions represented on the panel, or provide a deadline for its recommendations. It also does not set out the panel’s proposed methodology or identify specific cities, districts or infrastructure systems to be examined.
The government’s response came in a case focused on precautionary planning. El Nino-related weather risks can affect water availability and flooding conditions, making preparedness relevant to public agencies responsible for water management, drainage, emergency response and local administration. However, the court record described in the report does not provide a detailed assessment of the likely effects or announce any immediate operational changes.
After hearing both sides, the judges observed that the petitioner’s request had already been addressed through the government’s order establishing the panel. The bench therefore closed the case.
The next publicly reported milestone will be the expert committee’s study and the recommendations it submits to the Tamil Nadu government. Details of its membership, terms of reference and implementation timeline were not provided in the court proceedings described by the source.
