Together with a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal and a low pressure area in the Arabian Sea, north-east monsoon is set to commence on October 16 and 17 following which a red alert has been issued for extreme heavy rainfall for Chennai and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu for the two days.

With the memories of the disastrous deluge under the impact of Michaung cylone that hit Chennai in December last still afresh, the state government is gearing up to face the situation with adequate preparedness. Neighboring Andhra Pradesh is also on guard to face the cyclone that would cross the state’s south coast.

Extreme heavy downpour up to 20 cm rainfall has been predicted by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of the IMD for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts as well as Rayalaseema of Andhra Pradesh on October 16. This would be preceded by heavy to very heavy rainfall in the above places and Karaikal of Puducherry on October 15 (tomorrow) and subsequently on October 17.

The IMD has issued a range of warnings on heavy to very heavy rainfall for the delta region and other districts of Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Kerala and interior Karnataka. Already many areas in Madurai city which received over 15 cm rains and in Coimbatore are left battered. Isolated heavy rain has commenced across Chennai and other places.

Chief Minister MK Stalin who chaired a high-level review meeting at the secretariat has instructed officials to take all precautionary measures. They included keeping ready 176 HP motor pumps to drain water, 169 relief camps-cum-shelters, common kitchens, stationing 36 motorised boats at low lying areas for rescue efforts, hassle-free distribution of milk among others for Chennai and similar steps in other districts. A total of 1181 relief camps have been set up with 169 in Chennai, Tiruvallur (660), Kancheepuram (69) and Chengalapttu (290). Besides the NDRF, teams of the SDRF have also been despatched to Chennai and other vulnerable districts across the state.

Stalin and his Deputy, Udhayanidhi, visited the Integrated Command Control Centre set up at the iconic Rippon building, housing the Chennai Corporation as part of reviewing cyclone preparedness. Udhanyanidhi said, “The ICC will be manned by 150 staff who would work in four shifts to address complaints received through the helpline 1913. With 13000 volunteers to assist the administration, all necessary measures are in place.”

“In Chennai 300 flood prone-areas have been identified and necessary arrangements including motor pumps to drain water logging have been put in place. 21000 employees of the civic body would be working round the clock in three shifts,” Mayor Priya told the media. To help monsoon preparedness, TN Alert app has been launched a week earlier for real time updates on rain and complaints and grievances about water logging and other emergencies could be communicated through it for timely action besides the toll free helpline number of 1913, she added. In addition, the Chennai Police have set up 50 control rooms Commissioner of Police, A Arun, said a statement.

In view of the heavy rain forecast, the government has ordered closure of educational institutions in the capital and the three adjoining districts. IT employees have been advised to work from home till further instructions. Fishermen have been asked not to set sail and those who are already in the seas have been told to return to the shores.

However, the opposition led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised the DMK government of being lack in ensuring cyclone and monsoon preparedness. “The districts are not being given due attention. Ministers should be deputed to carry out relief works. With the storm water drainage works in Chennai yet to be fully completed, the government should take all efforts to protect the people,” he said in a statement. Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramaodss and BJP veteran and former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan have blamed the DMK government for water logging in Madurai an Coimbatore.