CHENNAI — Following forecasts indicating a strengthening of El Niño conditions during the ongoing Southwest monsoon, environmentalists have called on the Tamil Nadu state government to set up a dedicated El Niño monitoring cell. Experts urge authorities to draft a comprehensive one-year action plan to brace for severe compounding challenges, including potential drinking water scarcities, drops in regional food production, and spiking energy demands.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently reported that seasonal rainfall across the country has tracked roughly 43% below normal so far this monsoon, signaling a critical need for early administrative intervention. G. Sundarrajan, coordinator of the environmental organization Poovulagin Nanbargal, warned that while the initial phase has brought deficits, the upcoming Northeast monsoon which supplies the majority of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall is projected to be above normal.
He emphasized that authorities must not treat the upcoming season as standard, calling for a specialized task force to desilt regional waterbodies and canals on a war footing to maximize storage and prevent localized flooding.
While state bodies currently monitor localized dry spells through the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency, the state agricultural university, and the central Crop Weather Watch Group, sources acknowledge that a dedicated El Niño cell would bring a sharper operational focus.
Regional Meteorological Centre officials confirmed they are already providing agro advisories and impact-based forecasts to state agencies, adding that the IMD stands ready to supply continuous weather data if a specialized cell is established to navigate the phenomenon, which could persist into the first half of 2027.
In response to the growing climate concerns, official sources within the State Disaster Management Authority confirmed that a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay concluded with a decision to establish a multidisciplinary expert committee. This upcoming panel will be tasked with formulating and coordinating targeted mitigation measures to safeguard the state’s agricultural stability and resource management over the coming months.