T.N. Minister reviews Northeast monsoon preparedness in Cuddalore

Tamil Nadu Minister for Housing and Urban Development B. Rajkumar on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) inspected flood mitigation works and reviewed northeast monsoon preparedness in Cuddalore district, where 239 locations have been identified as vulnerable to flooding.

Accompanied by Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar, the Minister inspected the work on strengthening the banks of the Thenpennai river. The work is being executed at a cost of ₹57 crore and covers flood-prone localities including Manjakuppam, Om Sakthi Nagar, Poonthendral Nagar, Gundu Uppalavadi, Kandakadu, Periya Kanganankuppam, Uchimedu, Nanamedu and Uppalavadi. The Minister also visited the cyclone shelter at Rasapettai and checked its readiness, including drinking water, electricity and toilet facilities.

Of the total 239 vulnerable locations identified across Cuddalore district, 22 have been classified as very highly vulnerable, 39 as highly vulnerable, 20 as moderately vulnerable and 158 as having low vulnerability.

Officials have readied 28 cyclone shelters capable of accommodating 8,400 people, 14 multipurpose shelters for 15,800 people and 191 temporary shelters for 1,54,875 people, with basic amenities, he said.

Besides, earthmovers, tree-cutting equipment, generators, rubber boats, sandbags and casuarina poles have been kept ready for rescue operations and restoration of access to affected areas. Government hospitals have been instructed to ensure adequate stocks of medicines and generators for uninterrupted power supply.

The Minister urged the Departments of Revenue and Disaster Management, Electricity, Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Municipal Administration, Rural Development and Fisheries to coordinate preparedness and response efforts to minimise hardship to residents.