As part of the preparations for northeast monsoon, District Collector A. Kulothungan has issued directions to all concerned agencies to start desilting of stormwater drains in Puducherry.

At a meeting to review measures to be adopted to tackle monsoon-related exigencies, the Collector asked the Public Works and Local Administration departments to clean the drains before September.

The PWD has been asked to inform the Commune Panchayats of the drains that they would be taking up for desilting. Special attention for cleaning should be given to inundation-prone areas in the town near the Indira Gandhi Square, Krishna Nagar, Rainbow Nagar, Venkata Nagar and Boomianpet, he said. 

The Commune Panchayat authorities have been directed to ensure that the banks of major lakes in rural areas are strengthened to avoid any breach during heavy rain. The Fire Service department has been asked to maintain all equipment needed for rescue and relief operations, the Collector said. 

Directions have been given to the Electricity department to set right power lines lying low and damaged streetlights. The government health centres have been directed to stock essential medicines to combat monsoon-linked illnesses.

The meeting was attended by officials from the departments of Public Works, Electricity, Local Administration, Fire and Rescue, Police and Health.