The State government is closely monitoring the rainfall situation and the forecasts and taking steps in consultation with the district administrations to prevent damages, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan said here on Thursday.
So far, there had been no loss of life in Tamil Nadu because of rain. “Though we cannot control nature, we have a responsibility to safeguard people from natural vagaries. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, over the past three months, had initiated various measures and was reviewing the progress of work taken up under various departments,” Mr. Sengottaiyan said, answering a query on the measures taken by the government to handle the heavy rainfall in Chennai and prediction of extreme weather due to Super El Nino.
As far as Chennai was concerned, the city had been divided into 15 zones and IAS officers had been put in charge of each and a team of seven ministers had been formed to monitors the progress of work, he said.
The Minister was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with district officials to review of the progress of work taken up under his departments in the district.
Commenting on the DMK’s claims that there was no inundation due to the storm-water drainages built under its rule over the past five years, Mr. Sengottaiyan maintained that the DMK government did not complete the works fully. “Over the past four months 40% of the pending works have been expedited and completed,” he said.
Answering a query on delay in issue of patta applications due to shortage of surveyors, Mr. Sengottaiyan pointed out that 1,500 surveyors have been recruited temporarily and they would join duty after completing two months training in Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Sengottaiyan said that the Chief Minister was keen that house site pattas were issued to over 20 lakh beneficiaries by next December and steps were being to expedite the process.
On the problems faced in reading the biometric data of some beneficiaries drawing old age pension, the Minister said that steps were being taken to overcome this with the help of banks.
Speaking at the review meeting earlier, Mr. Sengottaiyan urged the officials to expedite the issue of house site pattas and work taken up under his departments, including ensuring steps to prevent inundation during monsoon and free flow of water in stormwater drains.
Mr. Sengottaiyan, along with J. Mohamed Farvas, Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development, distributed welfare assistance worth ₹4.38 crore to 1,384 beneficiaries at Viralimalai in Pudukottai district during the day. Former Minister C. Vijayabaskar and Collector M. Aruna attended the meeting.
Published – October 21, 2026 06:21 pm IST
