Tamil Nadu launches monsoon disease prevention drive as rains ease heat

The Tamil Nadu government announced a multi‑department strategy to curb monsoon‑related infectious diseases. Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand and Health Minister K. G. Arunraj chaired a coordination meeting at the state’s Multi Super Specialty Hospital, directing officials to intensify surveillance for dengue, chikungunya, malaria, leptospirosis and diarrhoeal illnesses. The plan calls for fever monitoring across 5,781 public and private hospitals, supported by 4,083 laboratories under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, and for local bodies to conduct door‑to‑door inspections, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, chlorinate water supplies and strengthen sanitation.

At the same time, a wet spell has brought moderate to heavy rain to many districts, reducing the state’s rain deficit from 18 % to 14 % and keeping temperatures below 40 °C. The Regional Meteorological Centre expects rain to continue in isolated areas until August 10, with forecasts of further relief for Chennai and other coastal districts.