Chennai, Oct 11 (NationPress) With predictions indicating a more severe northeast monsoon this year, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is taking proactive steps to enhance flood-prevention strategies in vulnerable areas. During a press briefing on Saturday, Mayor Priya Rajan emphasized the importance of readiness, stating, “The rainfall this northeast monsoon may be heavy, according to available forecasts. However, nature remains unpredictable. We are currently undertaking storm-water drainage improvements throughout GCC territories and deploying 100-horsepower motor pumps in high-risk zones,” she remarked.

Earlier that day, Rajan inaugurated the construction of a new indoor badminton stadium at Millennium Park in Anna Nagar West Extension, with an estimated budget of Rs 93 lakh provided by the Mayor’s Development Fund. Additionally, she opened the EmpowHer women’s gym in the same park, built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh from the GCC’s Capital Fund.

Notable attendees included Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P. K. Sekarbabu, city officials, and elected representatives.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has indicated that two active weather systems near the Tamil Nadu coastline are likely to produce considerable rainfall across various districts until October 13. An orange alert has been issued for the Nilgiris district, where isolated instances of very heavy rain are anticipated.

The northeast monsoon is projected to commence between October 16 and 18, aligning with the retreat of the southwest monsoon and the strengthening of easterly winds.

While southern districts, including Tirunelveli and Tenkasi, may see below-average rainfall, northern regions are expected to receive above-average precipitation this season.

B. Amudha, the Additional-in-Charge Head of the RMC, noted that Tamil Nadu has experienced above-normal northeast monsoon rainfall in the majority of the past 15 years, with a seasonal average of 44 to 50 cm anticipated this year across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Current rainfall levels have been insufficient in areas such as Chengalpattu, Pudukottai, and Kanniyakumari.

Heavy rain is forecasted for Saturday in at least 10 districts, including Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Sivaganga, and Salem. Amudha explained that a “cloudburst” refers to approximately 10 cm of rain falling within an hour in a localized zone. While such extreme weather events are challenging to forecast accurately, she mentioned that the RMC’s recent predictions concerning intense thunderstorms in Chennai have been relatively precise.

Thunderstorms, typical of the transitional phase between monsoons, are anticipated in certain city regions later on Saturday.