CHENNAI: State revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran on Tuesday said that the rainfall deficit of Tamil Nadu so far during the current Northeast monsoon has fallen from 43% to 17% over a month. Ramachandran also said that collectors of 27 districts, which have been warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, were advised to take adequate precautionary measures by the revenue department.

Talking to media persons at the state emergency control center here, Ramachandran said that Chennai had a rainfall deficit of 40% and the state deficit hovered around 43% last month. However, continuous rains since then have reduced the deficit of Tamil Nadu from 43% to 17% as on date Chennai has received 19cm till date in the NE monsoon season, he added.

Attributing the absence of life loss thus far in the Northeast monsoon season to the efforts of the state government, the disaster management minister said that the department was providing necessary inputs to all agencies, mainly district collectors to take necessary precautionary measures. Reiterating that about 12 teams comprising 400 personnel have been deployed in various places to swing into action as and when situation arises, the minister said that about 121multi-specialty safety centres capable of accommodating 1.13 lakh people have been set up in the coastal districts. Adding that about 4,967 relief camps are kept ready, he said that the arrangements made in the districts were being monitored by the revenue department and the Chief Minister as well.

Asked about heavy rain forecast in a few districts, the minister said that they have got in touch with the district collectors over phone and instructed them to make necessary arrangements. Precautionary measures have been advised in 27 such districts where heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast in the coming days, he added.