More than 50 locations across Tiruchi have been classified as very high, high, medium or low‑vulnerability zones, after last year’s heavy rains left areas such as Ariyamangalam, Old Palpannai, Kattur and Tiruverumbur water‑logged.
Following a meeting chaired by the Corporation Commissioner, officials were instructed to prioritise desilting works in the identified flood‑prone zones, beginning with small storm‑water drains along residential streets and interior roads, which are being cleared manually.
The corporation maintains 1,420 km of roads, of which roughly 800 km are served by storm‑water drains. To tackle the backlog, about 600 contract sanitation workers and 450 permanent staff have been mobilised for the cleaning drive, a senior official said.
In addition to the manual work on minor drains, the civic body plans to desilt major drains and channels spanning approximately 226 km, a project funded with a sanctioned budget of ₹3.5 crore.
Preparedness measures also include the deployment of diesel‑powered motor pumps to evacuate excess rainwater from low‑lying districts. Two pump sets, along with tree‑cutting and mosquito‑fogging machines, have been positioned in each of the city’s five zones.
Tree‑pruning operations will be carried out as a precaution to reduce the risk of uprooted branches during strong winds and heavy rain, while schools, colleges and community halls are being earmarked as relief centres for residents of vulnerable areas if needed.
Officials have ordered rapid response teams to clear newly water‑logged spots, attend to citizen complaints and undertake emergency works, aiming to complete all preparatory activities before the monsoon onset.