The Tamil Nadu state government is fully prepared to handle the southwest monsoon, according to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K A Sengottaiyan. On Tuesday, he stated that the government is closely monitoring the rainfall situation across the state following the Indian Meteorological Department's alert that 22 districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday.
Government Monitoring Rainfall in TN and Neighboring Regions
Speaking to reporters at Ezhilagam in Chennai, Sengottaiyan emphasized that the state is not only monitoring rainfall within Tamil Nadu but also in neighboring areas. Rainfall has commenced in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the monsoon has set in Kerala since Monday, he noted. By analyzing weather data, the government is taking precautionary measures to ensure safety.
Preparedness Measures and Rescue Readiness
The minister confirmed that personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and volunteers are deployed in every district. The Union government is also prepared to assist the state in any contingency, with helicopters kept on standby for rescue operations, he added.
Tamil Nadu receives approximately 32% of its annual rainfall from the southwest monsoon and about 48% from the northeast monsoon. Sengottaiyan also noted that the average temperature in the state has dropped from 41 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius, making it easier for school students to attend classes from Thursday.
Landslide Risk in Nilgiris Compared to Wayanad
When asked about preparedness for natural disasters, Sengottaiyan addressed concerns about landslides in the Nilgiris. He assured that a disaster like the one in Wayanad will not occur in the Nilgiris, explaining that in Wayanad, resorts were constructed on hills, altering the region's topography—a situation not present in the Nilgiris.
