Efforts should be made to avoid recurrence of what happened during the recent heavy rains: MK Stalin
Chennai:
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday said that a permanent solution should be found to avoid floods and its damages during the rainy season and flood mitigation to submit a report on the plans to be implemented to achieve the target. referred to a committee constituted for
Addressing an advisory meeting of the Chennai Metropolitan Area Flood Mitigation and Management Committee held at the Secretariat here, Mr Stalin said the panel should advise on long-term plans for the nearby Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and Ranipet districts as well as Chennai .
Referring to his Tuticorin visit on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that people knew more about the causes of floods than the authorities and urged the officials to take into account local knowledge in their proposals to avert floods.
Without naming the previous AIADMK government, he said water channels were blocked in Chennai and Tuticorin under the guise of implementation of smart city schemes, leading to floods.
Efforts should be made to avoid repeating what happened during the recent heavy rains, Mr Stalin said, explicitly referring to the massive floods.
He outlined his government’s preparedness ahead of the onset of the northeast monsoon on October 25 and the work done by the government amid the rains to avoid floods.
He recalled his inspections in the rain-hit northern, delta and southern districts and lauded the government officials and employees for their hard work, which he said has minimized the damage compared to previous years.
Pointing out the damage “before our eyes” as compared to rain, he said a “permanent solution has to be found” and that’s why the government has constituted the panel.
He said detailed plans to deal with the rains should be submitted to the government, however intense it may be.
Chennai and several other adjoining areas in North, Delta and South Kanyakumari districts were badly affected during the recent monsoon rains, leading to heavy waterlogging and submerging of crops.
The Tamil Nadu capital and its suburbs witnessed simultaneous deluge for several days in November, leading to the closure of subways and traffic diversion.
Mr Stalin said that apart from flood prevention, region and department wise plans for water management should also be made and there is a need for sector wise consultation and planning to avoid floods in Chennai.
“All these need to be done immediately. The formulation of plans should not take many months. Report at the earliest. We will implement such plans at the earliest. I am sure these can be implemented with your cooperation “
He urged the panel to prepare a flood prevention plan and submit an “accurate” report incorporating practical plans at the earliest so that the effects of the recent rains can be checked during the next season.
The Chief Minister directed all the government departments to provide necessary assistance to the committee.
Mr Stalin urged everyone to work unitedly so that the whole of Tamil Nadu becomes the ‘Top State’ in water management.
The panel is headed by V Thiruppugazh, a retired IAS officer (Gujarat cadre), who has served in various capacities.
In the past, he was an advisor to the National Disaster Management Authority and has worked under Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
State Ministers, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu, Thiruppugazh and top officials participated.
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