Vijay chairs meeting on Northeast monsoon preparedness with officials - The HinduUpdated - September 08, 2026 08:10 pm IST - CHENNAIChief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directed officials to remove water hyacinth from water bodies and desilt canals and stormwater drains to facilitate the quick discharge of rainwater. (File photo) | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTTamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the preparedness and precautionary measures to be taken in view of the upcoming Northeast monsoon at the Secretariat in Chennai.According to an official release, the Chief Minister instructed that teams comprising Ministers and senior officials should inspect at least twice a week the areas that were affected by floods during previous monsoon seasons and other vulnerable areas, and ensure that they remain prepared to face the monsoon.He also directed that coordination meetings involving officials of all departments should be held in all districts in connection with preparations for the Northeast Monsoon. In the Greater Chennai Corporation area, the Corporation, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries, Electricity and Chennai Metro Rail should coordinate and take necessary measures, the release said.The Chief Minister also directed officials to remove water hyacinth from water bodies and desilt canals and stormwater drains to facilitate the quick discharge of rainwater. He instructed officials to take immediate steps to complete pending drinking water, sewage and road works before the onset of the northeast monsoon, the release said.Mr. Vijay also instructed the Electricity Department to immediately repair and replace electric wires that were in danger of snapping and weak electric poles. He also directed that pumps be kept ready for the immediate removal of floodwater, electric saws and equipment to clear fallen trees from roads, and boats to safely evacuate people from residential areas prone to waterlogging.The Chief Minister instructed that community halls and schools should be kept ready to accommodate people living in low-lying areas safely. Community kitchens should also be kept ready to provide food and safe drinking water to people staying in relief camps.Ministers and senior officials of the State government were present at the meeting, while the District Collectors of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai participated through videoconference.Published - September 08, 2026 08:09 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }