The Greater Chennai Corporation has ordered officials to accelerate monsoon preparedness works across all 15 zones, including desilting drains and waterways, repairing flood-prone roads, readying pumps and inspecting emergency equipment before the northeast monsoon intensifies.
Mayor R. Priya issued the directions during a review meeting at Ripon Buildings on Tuesday. Officials were told to complete the desilting of rivers, canals, railway crossing drains and stormwater drains before the rains begin. The civic body also directed departments to speed up the desilting of silt-trapping chambers, construction and linking of stormwater drains, canal improvement works and the cleaning of wells in subways.
The Corporation has identified low-lying areas vulnerable to waterlogging and instructed officials to keep motor pumps ready for deployment. It will inspect machinery and vehicles, including pumps and tree-cutting machines, to confirm that they are operational during heavy rainfall. These preparations are intended to support emergency response when waterlogging, fallen trees or blocked roads disrupt local movement.
The civic body has identified 215 relief camps for use during emergencies. Officials have been asked to ensure that the camps have basic facilities. Food stocks are also to be maintained at 116 kitchens designated to prepare meals during the monsoon. The Corporation said medical camps would continue as part of its seasonal preparedness measures.
Drainage outlets linked to the Puzhal and Kosasthalaiyar rivers have also been included in the preparations. The Mayor directed officials to undertake desilting at the outlets through which surplus water from the two rivers is discharged. The work is intended to keep these channels clear before periods of heavy rain, according to the directions issued at the meeting.
Road maintenance has been prioritised alongside drainage work. Officials have been asked to repair potholes and damaged sections on bus routes as well as interior roads before the monsoon. Precautionary measures have been specifically ordered in areas including Korattur lake, Mylai Balaji Nagar canal, Parangusapuram, Rangarajapuram, City Link Road, Mount Road, G.P. Road, N.S.C. Bose Road and Arumbakkam Metro.
The Corporation will operate its 1913 helpline centre and official social media platforms with personnel deployed on a rotational basis during the rainy season. The teams will receive complaints from residents and facilitate immediate action, the civic body said.
GCC Commissioner Dr. G. S. Sameeran, Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Education K. Karpagam, senior officials from the health, revenue and finance wings, and regional deputy commissioners attended the review meeting. Mayor Priya directed officials to complete the preventive measures on priority before rainfall intensifies.
