Against the backdrop of possible EL Nino conditions developing in 2026, the Cuddalore district administration in association with the Department of Agriculture organised an awareness meet about the phenomenon in Cuddalore.

Addressing the meeting, District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar said El Nino, which has recently been widely discussed, is a climate phenomenon based on sea surface temperature changes in the Pacific Ocean. He said the meeting was being held to explain the climate changes associated with this phenomenon, their impact compared with previous years, and the precautionary measures needed to be taken by farmers.

El Nino is a climatic condition that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean rise above normal levels, he explained. The administration instructed Agriculture Department officials to create awareness among farmers about Super El Nino and to ensure the message reaches villages effectively. Officials should prepare short awareness videos to create awareness among farmers on the potential impact of El Nino, he said.

The district administration has been taking several measures to increase green cover and recharge groundwater. Saplings are being raised and planted through various departments, including the Rural Development Department and the Forest Department.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, nurseries were established in all blocks last year, and saplings were prepared. Plans were in place to plant around one lakh saplings over two months on barren lands, along the banks of waterbodies, and on roadside stretches, he said.

According to him, 107 minor irrigation tanks across the district were identified for desilting and improvement last year, and 70 per cent of the work has now been completed. Steps will be taken to complete the remaining work at the earliest.

To prevent seawater intrusion, the Water Resources Department is carrying out several projects in the district. Following heavy floods during last monsoon, low-lying areas in Cuddalore, Panruti and Kurinjipadi were severely affected. Permanent flood prevention works are now being implemented in those areas to reduce future damage.

The district administration would take swift action on works that could be implemented directly, while other demands would be forwarded to the government for appropriate action.