Tamil Nadu forms advisory panel for El Nino preparedness

The Tamil Nadu government has established an expert advisory committee to guide the state's preparedness for a forecasted strong El Nino event, which is expected to disrupt rainfall patterns and increase the risk of extreme weather over the next two years. The committee, formed under the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA), was officially constituted by a government order issued on July 28, 2026.

The move follows an alert from state officials and meteorological forecasts indicating a high probability of a severe El Nino developing this year. El Nino, a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, alters global weather patterns and typically leads to below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall in the region. Officials anticipate this could reduce water inflow into the Cauvery River and affect irrigation. Conversely, the state is also preparing for the potential of intense rainfall and flooding during the subsequent northeast monsoon season.

To scientifically assess these risks and recommend advance mitigation measures, the government has assembled a panel of specialists. The committee will be chaired by the additional chief...