GCC Prepares 215 Relief Centres and Volunteer App Ahead of Monsoon

The Greater Chennai Corporation is set to launch a dedicated volunteers registration app next week as part of its comprehensive monsoon preparedness and disaster response drive across Chennai. The initiative will enable city residents to sign up and assist authorities in relief and rescue operations during floods and severe weather emergencies.

The announcement followed a multi-department coordination meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi. Civic officials outlined extensive logistical arrangements to mitigate waterlogging and ensure rapid response mechanisms across all zones in the city.

As part of the disaster response plan, the civic body is readying 215 flood relief centres and 111 community kitchens to shelter and feed affected residents if heavy rains trigger flooding. GCC has also placed 36 of its own rescue boats and 275 fishing boats, sourced through the fisheries department, on standby along with trained boat operators.

In addition to rescue craft, emergency vehicles, heavy machinery, motor pumps, and mechanised tree-cutters have been mobilised and stationed for rapid deployment across vulnerable neighbourhoods. Civic crews are currently carrying out desilting work covering 1,671 kilometres of stormwater drains and 1,10,082 silt catch pits across Chennai to facilitate uninterrupted runoff during heavy downpours.

GCC officials have identified 207 vulnerable locations across the city and deployed targeted engineering interventions to curb water stagnation. Stormwater drains have been constructed at 117 of these vulnerable spots, while modular storage tanks fitted with high-capacity discharge pumps have been installed at 20 locations. Dedicated motor pumps have been positioned at an additional 48 locations, with alternative engineered solutions being executed in the remaining areas to ensure water drains away rapidly.