Chennai Mayor accuses govt. of delaying monsoon preparedness works

Chennai Mayor R. Priya says the major review meeting for monsoon preparedness was only held in October. | Photo Credit: File photo

Chennai Mayor R. Priya accused the State government of starting monsoon preparedness works too late this season. The government should have held meetings for the northeast monsoon in July or August as it had done in the previous years, as by October, heavy rain would usually begin, Ms. Priya told The Hindu.

She also raised concerns over dumping of silt removed from stormwater drains on roads. Inadequate funds for civic maintenance was another red flag she raised on Saturday.

“Monsoon preparedness meetings are usually held in July or August, but the major review meeting this year was held only in October. Desilting work, which should normally start in June, was also delayed and began only towards the end of August. This has affected the time available to complete the work before the monsoon. We need to be prepared for heavy rainfall, so planning and inter-departmental coordination must begin well in advance,” she added.