CM Chairs State Disaster Management Meeting for Monsoon Preparedness

PRESS RELEASE Meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority held under the chairmanship of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay. A meeting of the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority was held today (5.6.2026) at the Secretariat, chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay. The southwest monsoon has been active over the South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands since 16th May 2026, and conditions remain favourable for its further advance. In Tamil Nadu, the southwest monsoon has commenced from 4.6.2026. At the meeting, officials noted that, as per forecasts from the India Meteorological Department, there is an 80 percent probability of below-normal rainfall in Tamil Nadu during this year's southwest monsoon. Concerned department Secretaries and District Collectors of districts along the Western Ghats briefed the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on the precautionary measures taken to meet the southwest monsoon. It was also directed that it is essential for all departments and district administrations to remain prepared to face any disaster situation, that avoiding loss of life should be the primary objective during disasters, that the District Administration and District Emergency Operations Centres must function round the clock (24x7), that rescue equipment, first responders and rescue personnel must be kept ready, and that rescue teams must be pre-positioned in required locations. It was further directed that relief centres be kept ready, that they be maintained clean wherever people need to be sheltered, and that the District Administration ensure basic facilities such as electricity, adequate food and safe drinking water; that Greater Chennai Corporation and District Administrations take immediate action on rain-related issues such as waterlogging and falling of trees on roads; and that Rural Development, Municipal Administration and Health department officials jointly undertake preventive measures against disease outbreaks during the monsoon season. It was directed that the Electricity Department immediately repair loose or hanging electric wires, weak electric poles and towers, and take prompt action whenever reports of snapped electric wires are received during the rainy season. To prevent damage during the northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu, it was directed that desilting of waterbodies, removal of water hyacinth, and removal of encroachments be undertaken immediately; and since there are about four months before the onset of the northeast monsoon, all preparatory works should be completed within that period to ensure readiness to face any situation. The meeting was attended by the Hon'ble Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Thiru K.A. Sengottaiyan; Chief Secretary Dr. Mu. Vaikundam / Vaaikumar IAS; Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Revenue Administration Thiru Na. Muruganandam IAS; Additional Chief Secretary/Chairman, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Dr. Se. Radhakrishnan IAS; Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Dr. Ka. Manivannan IAS; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Thiru M.A. Siddique IAS; Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Dr. Sathyabrata Sahu IAS; Director General of Police Thiru Mahesh Kumar Agarwal IPS; Director, Fire and Rescue Services, Smt. Seema Agarwal IPS; Commissioner of Disaster Management Smt. C.G. Thomas Vaidyan IAS; Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. K.S. Palanisamy IAS; Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Dr. Po. Sankar IAS; Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Dr. G.S. Sameeran IAS; and senior Government officials. District Collectors of Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Theni and Dindigul districts also participated in the meeting via video conference. •••••••••• Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9