Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday said that he will insist the Centre on upgrading the weather radar systems available with the meteorological department. He made the statement after there was no warning from the MET department due to a faulty radar system when the city grappled with heavy rainfall in November.
Talking to reporters after reviewing the works undertaken by Chennai Corporation, Stalin said, “Every time weather forecasters had let us know about such unexpected weather events. However, this time even the MET department was unable to predict the heavy rainfall and they have apologized for it.”
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“That’s why l immediately reviewed the works undertaken in the war room in Chennai Corporation after returning to Chennai from Trichy. I also visited the inundated parts of the city,” he said.
When asked whether the earlier issues with radar systems still persists, Stalin said, “The maintenance of the radar systems remains with the Centre. Hence, I will take up the issue of upgrading weather forecast systems with the Union government.”
Further, the Chief Minister accusing the previous AIADMK government of waterlogging said, the previous government spoiled the condition of the drain systems in the past 10 years. However, we definitely hope to solve the issue within the next monsoon, he said.
On Friday, the Chief Minister yet again visited the inundated areas and monitored the renovation works undertaken by the Corporation workers. Later, taking to social media he also assured that the situation will soon improve.
Heavy torrential rains lashed Chennai from Thursday evening and threw normal life out of gear in the district. Traffic was hit on many arterial roads and low-lying areas were inundated in the district. After the unprecedented rainfall, the IMD also issued red alert to Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts.