Chennai, 17 Oct 2026: With the no rtheast monsoon setting in, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday inspected desilting operations at major waterways in North Chennai and directed officials to complete flood prevention works before rainfall inten sifies.
The Chief Minister visited the Captain Cotton Canal in Vyasar padi, where floating dredging machines are being deployed to remove water hyacinth and accumulated silt to ensure the free flow of rainwater. He reviewed the progress of the work and sought details from officials on measures taken to prevent flooding in surrounding areas.
Vijay also inspected desilting operations at Basin Bridge, where the Otteri Nullah joins the Buckingham Canal, and assessed the preparedness of the Greater Chennai Corpo ration and other depart ments to handle heavy rainfall. During the inspection, he instruc ted officials to expedite pending works, keep adequate machinery ready in flood-prone areas and continuously monitor water levels in canals round the clock.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has inten sified desilting operations in canals, rivers and other waterways using heavy machinery as part of its northeast monsoon pre paredness measures. Ministers and senior officials have been conducting field inspec tions to ensure the timely completion of the works.
Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister Lokesh Tamil selvan, Chief Secretary M Saikumar, Tamil Nadu Housing Board Chairman Siva, Water Resources Department Secretary Prasanth M Wadnere, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran and Munici pal Administration and Water Supply Depart ment Additional Chief Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi accom panied the Chief Minister. The inspection comes amid the onset of the northeast mon soon over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with rainfall reported across several districts.
The state govern ment has also appoin ted Ministers in charge of different Greater Chennai Corporation zones to oversee deve lopment works, coordi nate disaster prepared ness and expedite relief operations during the monsoon.