Chennai Corporation prepares for monsoon and flooding risks

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated extensive emergency preparedness measures to manage the Northeast monsoon and potential El Niño effects. Commissioner G. S. Sameeran announced that the civic body is readying 227 relief centres and 112 community kitchens across 15 zones to support residents during heavy rain and wind.

To facilitate evacuations in low-lying areas such as Velachery and Anna Nagar, the GCC is deploying 36 boats, while the Fisheries Department has 97 additional boats on standby. The corporation has also stockpiled significant food supplies, including over 12,000 kg of rice and 2,355 kg of dal.

Additional safety measures include the deployment of 220 tree-cutting machines and 2,200 workers to clear dangerous branches, as well as the operation of 103 mobile medical teams to prevent seasonal health issues. Emergency services, including police, fire, and medical teams, remain on standby, and heavy machinery like JCB excavators have been prepared for clearing water stagnation and debris.