Udhayanidhi Stalin inspects Chennai command centre in view of heavy rain forecast

Stalin interacted with officials and executives at the command centre and discussed with them measures taken in view of the weather forecast.

In Short

• Helpline number 1913 set up to address public grievances
• Tamil Nadu app launched to immediately alert people about rain
• 1,300 volunteers deployed, 113 sucker pumps to flush out rainwater

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhaynidhi Stalin on Sunday inspected the integrated command centre set up in the wake of heavy rainfall predicted in the state in the next few days.

Stalin interacted with officials and executives at the command centre and discussed with them measures taken in view of the weather forecast.

He said that a 24x7 helpline '1913' has been launched for the benefit of the public and a new app called ‘Tamil Nadu Alert’ has also been created, which will notify people immediately about imminent rainfall.

Around 150 executives will be working round-the-clock at '1913' call centres to assist the public and address their grievances. "Top priority is given to save human life and property", the DMK leader added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said that a total of 13,000 volunteers have been designated to work in tandem with the government and 113 sucker pumps with 100 horsepower capability and jet rodding machines have been installed in low-lying areas.

Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor R Priya, Deputy Mayor M Mukesh Kumar and Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran also accompanied Udhayanidhi Stalin.

He also requested the public to contact the Corporation through social media regarding any issue with the storm water canal and assured that all necessary measures have been taken.

"Relief camps have been set up in all the wards under the Greater Chennai Corporation, while those areas which are frequently flooded due to heavy rain are under constant watch", Udhayanidhi said.

As monsoon winds hit the southeastern peninsular region, heavy rains have begun to lash several districts of Tamil Nadu. On Sunday, several parts of Madurai and Pudukottai were inundated due to heavy rain, leading to severe waterlogging.

A car got stuck in an underpass at Mani Nagar and a rescue of the vehicle’s occupant was carried out by a police team, saving his life, officials said.

In Pudukottai district, a family with a baby trapped in an autorickshaw amid heavy rains in the district was rescued. The vehicle became ensnared in a pit filled with rapidly flowing water.

With PTI inputs