Chengalpattu district officials have been directed to keep rescue machinery and emergency equipment ready in coastal taluks after an orange alert forecast heavy rainfall of 115 mm to 204 mm, even as authorities reported no loss of life, cattle or houses in Saturday’s rain.
District Collector M. Veerappan inspected the Disaster Management Control Room on Saturday evening and asked Revenue Department and fire station officials to remain prepared. Officials were also instructed to monitor complaints received through the control room and ensure that machines and other equipment required for rescue operations were ready.
Rainfall recorded at different locations in the district ranged from 20 mm to 60 mm. Chengalpattu taluk received the highest recorded rainfall at 60 mm, followed by Cheyyur at 50 mm and Tambaram at 46 mm, according to the Collector’s office. The report said there were no reports of damage to houses, cattle or human life due to the rain on Saturday.
The alert has also affected transport operations around the Kilambakkam bus terminus. The road in front of the terminus was inundated during the rain but had cleared by Sunday. The Transport Department had shifted temporary bus stands arranged for Ayudha Pooja from the climate park near the terminus and Maraimalai Nagar. With passenger numbers lower on Sunday, the temporary stands were moved back to the usual platforms inside the terminus.
The department said around 4.15 lakh passengers had travelled by government buses to their native places during the three days up to Saturday. The movement highlights the operational pressure on the road network and bus infrastructure during a period when heavy rain can quickly affect access to a major regional transport hub.
The rainfall has begun replenishing water bodies across the district. Of the 528 lakes maintained by the Water Resources Department, one had crossed 50 per cent storage and 117 had crossed 25 per cent, according to the department’s executive engineer. Water levels in 408 lakes remained below 25 per cent because the initial rainfall had been absorbed by the ground.
Among 584 tanks maintained by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, two had crossed 50 per cent storage and 99 had exceeded 25 per cent. Storage remained below 25 per cent in 483 tanks. Chengalpattu also has 2,512 ponds, of which eight had reached 50 per cent storage, 286 had exceeded 25 per cent and 2,218 remained below 25 per cent.
An orange alert signals the possibility of heavy rainfall and rising storage levels in lakes and ponds. The district administration’s immediate focus is on keeping emergency equipment ready, monitoring complaints, maintaining access around the bus terminus and tracking the condition of water bodies as the forecast period continues.
