Tamil Nadu government forms Expert Advisory Committee to monitor, assess El Niño weather phenomenon

Deep cracks seen at Kallaperambur Lake in Thanjavur as the dry waterbody awaits rainfall. Representational image | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh The Tamil Nadu government has formed an Expert Advisory Committee to monitor and assess the potential impact of a possible strong El Niño weather phenomenon this year and advise the government on preparedness and mitigation measures.A Government Order issued to this effect by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department on July 28, 2026 said the Expert Advisory Committee has been constituted to assess the potential impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon on a scientific basis and recommend appropriate precautionary and disaster mitigation measures.FunctionsThe committee will monitor rainfall and drought conditions, identify vulnerable areas, and advise the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency on early warning systems. It will also advise the government on drought and flood mitigation measures in vulnerable areas to ensure adequate preparedness. The Expert Advisory Committee will function during 2026-27 and 2027-28.It will be chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration.Its members are S. Kanmani, Head, Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University; Balaji Narasimhan, Professor, Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering Laboratory, IIT Madras; M. Arivudai Nambi Appadurai, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, WRI India, and member, Tamil Nadu Governing Council on Climate Change; Ramesh Ramachandran, Advisor, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company; R. Venkatesan, expert member, State Environment Appraisal Committee; J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Thoothukudi; and R. Pradeep John, Senior Manager, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited. Published - July 30, 2026 01:22 pm IST