Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh asked officials to expedite desilting of waterbodies and canals, remove water hyacinth and keep motor pumps ready in waterlogging-prone areas.

The Minister, who was also recently appointed as in-charge for development and flood preparedness works in Tiruvottiyur and Manali, inspected the service road near the Tuna Fishing Harbour in Tiruvottiyur, a damaged retaining wall along the Buckingham Canal near the T.P.P. bridge and the Kargil Nagar lake and pumping facility.

In Manali, he inspected the Puzhal surplus confluence point near Jothi Nagar bridge, the Kosasthalaiyar river stretch from R.L. Nagar to Sadaiyankuppam, the Puzhal surplus confluence near Burma Nagar bridge and the surplus channel near Amullavoyal bridge.

He asked officials to clear blockages, strengthen damaged canal walls and expedite stormwater drain works. He also instructed officials to ensure basic facilities at relief centres and community kitchens and coordinate preparedness measures with the Greater Chennai Corporation, Water Resources Department, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Electricity Department and Highways Department.