Revenue and WRD depts. monitoring reservoirs: Minister

As the depression, which is likely to gain strength as a cyclonic storm, has moved towards Andhra Pradesh, there will not be much damage in Chennai and the neighbouring districts, but it will bring rain, said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran.

Speaking to reporters, he said Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had directed Collectors to take precautionary measures, and that fishermen who ventured into the sea on October 24 had been advised to return to shore.

He said the Revenue and Water Resources departments would work together to monitor the water levels in the reservoirs supplying water to Chennai and prevent any untoward incidents.

“If possible, the water will be stored. The excess water will be released. People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to relief centres. The government has already made arrangements to supply essential commodities, including milk, dhal and rice,” he said.

The water level in the Poondi reservoir has reached 83.53% of its capacity. The level in Cholavaram is 60.5%, in Red Hills 81.35%, in Chembarambakkam 83.36%, and in Thervoykandigai 87.80%.

“The Chief Minister is directly monitoring the preparations,” he said, adding that the government was fully prepared to face the northeast monsoon in October, November and December.

Dams full

He said dams and reservoirs in the districts around Chennai and in the coastal areas were full, but those in the southern districts had not yet reached full capacity, and these districts required rain.

Mr. Ramachandran said 31 people had died and 47 were injured since October 1 due to rain. “A total of 485 cattle and 20,425 chickens died. A total of 1,780 huts were destroyed in the rain, and we have distributed relief in 50% of the cases,” he added.