The Nagapattinam district administration has stepped up preparedness for the northeast monsoon, identifying flood-prone locations, and putting disaster-relief infrastructure, rescue teams, and essential supplies on standby to tackle possible emergencies.
As many as 68 locations across the district have been identified as flood-prone areas. To accommodate people during emergencies, six multi-purpose disaster relief centres, 12 cyclone shelters, 76 community halls, 94 marriage halls, 147 schools, and 52 colleges had been kept ready. A total of 29 early warning centres were operational.
For rescue and relief operations, 12 teams, comprising 132 personnel, have been formed at the taluk level. Separate teams have been assigned responsibilities for early warning, search and rescue, and shelter management. In addition, 90 personnel from the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force, 5,000 first responders, 300 Aapda Mitra volunteers, 200 Yuva Aapda Mitra volunteers, and 600 volunteers from multi-purpose disaster relief centres are ready for deployment.
Arrangements had been made to protect livestock, with 877 first responders, and 100 cattle shelters kept ready.
The Water Resources Department had undertaken desilting operations and the removal of hyacinth in the Cauvery, the Vennar, and the Agniyar Basins. The Rural Development Department had carried out desilting of channels, minor bridges, and drainage systems to facilitate free flow of rainwater.
The district administration had stocked emergency equipment, including 374 motorboats, 126 fibre boats, 1,300 traditional boats, eight inflatable boats, 133 excavators, 52 lorries, 384 electric generators, 184 power saws, 22,355 sandbags, and 1,752 lifebuoys.
The Fisheries Department had kept 576 motorised boats, 2,583 non-motorised boats, and 103 traditional boats ready. Meanwhile, the Electricity Department had stocked 3,000 electric poles, 135 km of electrical conductors, and 55 transformers to address possible disruptions.
The Health Department has made arrangements to meet emergency medical needs, with 19 oxygen-equipped emergency ambulances, eight generators, 17 inverters, 345 beds, and 11 medical teams kept ready.
To prevent shortage of essential commodities during the monsoon, 423.78 tonnes of rice, pulses, and other essential items have been kept ready for distribution through 392 fair price shops across the district. Aavin has arranged to supply 1,923 litres of milk daily to ensure uninterrupted availability.
A 24-hour emergency control room is functioning at the Collectorate to coordinate response. Residents can call the control room on phone number 04365-1077 or 04365-251992.
Published - October 18, 2026 07:13 pm IST