Tamil Nadu Allots ₹281 Crore for Nagapattinam Monsoon Preparedness

The Tamil Nadu government has set aside ₹281 crore for precautionary and disaster prevention measures in Nagapattinam district ahead of the northeast monsoon. The allocation was announced by Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan, who chaired a review meeting in the district on Thursday.

A separate sum of ₹10 crore has been earmarked for the protection of cattle, the Minister said. He noted that funds had been released before any disaster had struck, and that preparations were being coordinated to respond to any emergency.

Mr. Sengottaiyan stressed the district's significance, pointing to the Velankanni Basilica and the Nagore Dargah, which draw lakhs of devotees.

To strengthen response capacity, three inter-departmental teams drawn from all government departments have been formed for each taluk. These teams will handle search and rescue operations and manage shelter and upkeep for people affected during the monsoon.

As many as 68 locations have been identified as flood-prone. For housing evacuees, authorities have readied six multi-purpose shelters, 12 cyclone shelters, 100 community halls, 73 marriage halls and more than 160 educational institutions. Twenty-nine early warning systems are operational in the district, and manpower and machinery have been kept on standby.

Ministers A.M. Shajahan (Minorities Welfare) and A. Srinath (Fisheries) attended the meeting, along with senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration Rajesh Lakhoni and Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar.