Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held a meeting on Monday to discuss the state's preparedness for the heavy rains predicted by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts will be closed on October 15.
In addition, Chief Minister Stalin has requested that IT companies allow their employees to work from home from October 15 to 18 due to the adverse weather conditions.
The RMC has issued warnings about heavy rainfall expected from a low-pressure area that developed over the southeast Bay of Bengal early this morning. This weather system is likely to intensify and move toward north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh in the next two days, leading to significant rainfall in those areas.
In response to the weather threat, Stalin has ordered the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force to vulnerable locations. Rescue boats are being sent to flood-prone regions, and district monitoring officers are coordinating relief efforts.
To facilitate public transport, the Chief Minister has instructed an increase in the frequency of metro and MRTS trains. He also stressed the importance of stabilizing prices for essential commodities and ensuring that food and medicine are adequately stocked in old age and destitute homes.
During the review meeting, the Greater Chennai Corporation reported readiness with 990 pumps, 57 tractors equipped with pump sets, and 36 mechanized boats for emergency use. Moreover, 169 relief centers are on standby, with sanitation supplies including 46 metric tons of bleaching powder and phenyl prepared for use.
The meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, state ministers, and senior officials, such as Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and DGP Shankar Jiwal, who confirmed their readiness to tackle potential flooding and ensure public safety as the heavy rains approach.
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