Tamil Nadu Convenes Expert Panel to Counter Impending El Niño Risks
The Tamil Nadu government has established a specialized advisory body to mitigate risks associated with a potential strong El Niño event. This committee will oversee scientific assessments and disaster preparedness through 2028.
Strategic Oversight for Climate Extremes
In response to the threat of a looming strong El Niño cycle, the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department issued a Government Order on July 28, 2026, creating a high-level Expert Advisory Committee. The administration aims to utilize scientific data to bolster the state's resilience against irregular weather patterns that could lead to severe drought or flooding. This oversight body is mandated to operate throughout the 2026-27 and 2027-28 fiscal years.
Tactical Functions and Risk Mitigation
The committee serves as a critical link between climate data and state action. Its primary responsibilities involve:
- Conducting rigorous monitoring of precipitation levels and emerging drought indicators.
- Pinpointing specific geographical zones most susceptible to climate volatility.
- Guiding the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency on the implementation of advanced early warning protocols.
- Formulating actionable strategies for both flood prevention and water scarcity management to ensure state-wide preparedness.
The establishment of this body comes at a time when environmental shifts are already visible, such as the significant cracking observed at the dry Kallaperambur Lake in Thanjavur.
Leadership and Composition
The Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration will chair the group. The panel integrates voices from academia, research institutions, and urban planning, including:
- S. Kanmani: Head of the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management at Anna University.
- Balaji Narasimhan: IIT Madras Professor specializing in Hydraulics and Water Resources.
- M. Arivudai Nambi Appadurai: Climate Resilience expert from WRI India and the state's climate governing council.
- Ramesh Ramachandran: Advisor to the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company.
- R. Venkatesan: Member of the State Environment Appraisal Committee.
- J.K. Patterson Edward: Director of the Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute.
- R. Pradeep John: Senior Manager at Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited.
Source: The Hindu — Sci-Tech
