Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) – The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services has begun intensive preparations for the northeast monsoon, drawing up district-specific disaster management plans in coordination with local administrations and allied departments.
Director General of Police (DGP) Seema Agarwal, who heads the department, said officials are reviewing the types of disasters likely in each district and mapping out the resources required.
“We are identifying the potential disasters in every district and accordingly planning resource deployment. For example, if a flood occurs in one district, additional personnel and equipment can be mobilised immediately from neighbouring districts,” she explained.
Mock drills will be held shortly to test readiness. The department is also working closely with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to strengthen training for fire personnel in handling different calamities.
Agarwal noted that preparedness varies depending on district-specific vulnerabilities. “In Vellore, floods or tsunamis are not a threat, but in Tiruvannamalai, where a landslide occurred last year, training is focused accordingly,” she said.
On fire safety, she stressed the importance of preventive infrastructure in high-rise buildings, which are increasing even in Tier-2 cities. “Buildings must have water tanks at both the lower and upper levels, with hydrant points for fire safety. These requirements must be met before licenses are issued. If a fire still occurs, our teams will intervene with specialised equipment,” she said.
She added that high-rise ladders and other advanced tools are being scaled up to meet urban challenges.
With the monsoon approaching, officials emphasised that a proactive strategy combining training, equipment, and inter-departmental coordination would strengthen Tamil Nadu’s disaster response capacity.
