Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K. K. S.

S. R.

As the depression likely to gain strength as a cyclonic storm has moved towards Andhra Pradesh, Chennai and neighboring districts will not see much damage but will see rainfall, it said. Ramachandran. Speaking to reporters, he said that Chief Minister M.

K. Stalin has directed collectors to take precautionary measures and fishermen who went to sea on October 24 have been advised to return to the shore.

He said the revenue and water resources departments would work together to monitor the water level in the reservoirs supplying water to Chennai and prevent any untoward incident. “If possible, water will be stored.

Excess water will be released. People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to relief centres.

The government has already made arrangements for supply of essential commodities including milk, pulses and rice,” he said. The water level in Poondi reservoir has reached 83.

53% of its capacity. The level is 60. 5% in Cholavaram, 81.

35% in Red Hills, 83. 36% in Chembarambakkam and 87. 80% in Theravayakandigai.

“The chief minister is directly monitoring the preparations,” he said, adding that the government is fully prepared to face the northeast monsoon in October, November and December. Dams are full He said dams and reservoirs in the districts and coastal areas around Chennai are full, but dams and reservoirs in the southern districts have not yet reached full capacity and these districts need rain. Mr Ramachandran said 31 people have died and 47 have been injured since October 1 due to the rains.

“A total of 485 cattle and 20,425 chickens died. A total of 1,780 huts were destroyed in the rains and we have distributed relief in 50% of the cases,” he said.