CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin on Monday said the administrative machinery should prepare a permanent scheme to remove encroachments and strengthen riverbanks to prevent floods in Chennai.
In his first address to the state disaster management authority as its chairperson, Stalin said the Chennai Flood Management Committee to be set up will comprise experts in environment, urban planning, disaster management to devise flood control methods and design stormwater drains to reduce the impact of floods.
The government’s objective was to prevent the loss of lives, damage to the properties and infrastructure during disasters and to transform the state that can effectively deal with all types of disasters.
Stalin directed the officials at the district and state level to act in coordination. “The disasters that took place recently are not just natural. People also must take responsibility. The seasonal changes are not uniform and such a situation should be understood by us and acted upon,” the chief minister said.
