Chennai, October 2026 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday inspected the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Integrated Command and Control Centre and reviewed precautionary measures undertaken in view of the Northeast Monsoon.
The Chief Minister visited Ripon Building, the headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), where he held a review meeting with ministers and senior officials on preparedness and response measures following the heavy rainfall recorded across Chennai on Saturday night, October 17.
At the Integrated Command and Control Centre, Stalin reviewed rainfall data, monitoring arrangements at subways, canals and river mouths, and action taken on complaints received from the public. He instructed officials to respond promptly to grievances and ensure that relief and emergency services function efficiently. He also congratulated corporation staff and officials from other departments for their work following the heavy rainfall.
The GCC Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on precautionary measures, rescue operations and food distribution carried out in affected areas.
Heavy Rainfall Recorded Across Chennai
On the night of October 17, several parts of Chennai received exceptionally heavy rainfall within a short period. Parrys Corner recorded 36 cm of rain, Kathivakkam received 34 cm, while Manali and Ennore recorded 21 cm each.
Waterlogging Cleared at 35 Locations
The intense rainfall resulted in waterlogging at 35 locations across the city. The corporation used motor pumps that had been positioned in advance as part of its preparedness measures to remove the accumulated water. Officials reported that water had been completely drained from all 35 locations.
Trees and branches fell at 22 locations due to the heavy rain. Corporation workers promptly cleared the obstructions and restored traffic movement.
227 Relief Centres Kept Ready
The Greater Chennai Corporation has kept 227 temporary relief centres ready to accommodate residents of low-lying areas in the event of flooding. Food was distributed to 13,500 people on Sunday morning in some areas affected by waterlogging.
Water was also removed promptly from all 22 subways under the corporation’s jurisdiction, ensuring that traffic movement could continue smoothly.
Rescue Equipment and Emergency Resources Deployed
The corporation has kept 1,189 vehicles and machines ready for rescue and relief operations. These include 676 high-capacity motor pumps owned by the corporation, 134 hired pumps with a capacity of 100 horsepower, and motor pumps mounted on 648 tractors. In addition, 109 water-collection tanks have been arranged to collect and remove rainwater.
For the rescue of residents in low-lying areas, 36 boats belonging to the corporation and 97 boats provided by the Fisheries Department have been kept ready.
The emergency equipment also includes 15 heavy-duty chainsaws, 231 versatile chainsaws, 52 telescopic chainsaws and tree-cutting equipment mounted on five vehicles to clear fallen trees and branches.
Alongside the 227 relief centres, 112 centralised kitchens have been prepared, with adequate stocks of food supplies to prepare and distribute meals to people requiring assistance.
CM Directs Departments to Coordinate
After reviewing the arrangements, Stalin instructed all departments to work in close coordination and intensify preparedness in view of the heavy-rainfall warning issued for the region. He emphasised the need for effective interdepartmental coordination to ensure public safety and swift relief operations.
The review meeting was attended by Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna; Health Minister Dr K.K. Arunraj; Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan; Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Venkataraman; School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity Minister Rajmohan; Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister C. Ramesh; Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services Minister Dr R. Kumar; and Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar.
Senior officials present included Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Chairman and Managing Director Rajesh Lakhoni; Additional Chief Secretary for Municipal Administration and Water Supply Gagandeep Singh Bedi; Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration Dr P. Chandramohan; Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal; Principal Secretary for Highways and Minor Ports Sunil Ponnambalam; Water Resources Department Secretary Prashant M. Vadnere; Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr G.S. Sameeran; Chennai Police Commissioner Amalraj; board chairpersons and other senior government officials.
