Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran inspected the Irular Colony, near the Puzhal surplus water canal in Sadayankuppam under Manali Zone, which is identified as a low-lying area vulnerable to flooding. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
With heavy rain forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up flood-preparedness measures across its zones, deploying drones for real-time surveillance, setting up zonal control rooms and keeping relief centres, kitchens and motor pumps ready, while monitoring waterbodies in the city’s suburbs.
Inspecting preparedness measures in Manali on Saturday, GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran reviewed the removal of water hyacinth and desilting in the Puzhal surplus water canal near the Amullavoyal bridge. He said the bridge had been submerged during previous floods and that measures were being taken to protect vulnerable neighbourhoods, including Balasubramanian Nagar, Burma Nagar and Irular Colony in Sadayankuppam.
Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran, as a precautionary measure for the Northeast monsoon, inspected and reviewed the works being carried out through a drone, including the removal of water hyacinth and desilting in the canal located beneath the Amullaivoyal bridge across Puzhal surplus under Manali Zone. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mr. Sameeran said that 3,700 field workers had intensified mosquito-control measures. The GCC is coordinating with other departments and monitoring reservoirs and waterbodies in the suburbs, including Poondi, Puzhal, Cholavaram, Kesavapuram and Thervoy Kandigai, in real time, he added.
GCC has arranged two drones in each zone to monitor waterlogging, particularly in areas inaccessible to vehicles. Live footage is relayed to zonal command and control rooms, where officials can track water stagnation and the condition of vulnerable areas, according to a press release.
The Commissioner also inspected a central kitchen, a control room and a relief centre at a Chennai Primary School in Mathur. The civic body has kept 17 relief centres and eight central kitchens and kitchens ready in Manali, with mats, pillows, blankets and medicines available at the relief centre, the release said.
Ten 100-HP motor pumps have been positioned at nine waterlogging-prone locations in Manali, while 25 tractor-mounted 25-HP pumps are ready at 21 locations.
Published - October 25, 2026 12:36 am IST