A meeting of senior officials of the Public Works Department was held on Tuesday to review preparedness measures ahead of northeast monsoon in Puducherry.

Chairing the meeting, Minister for Public Works Malladi Krishna Rao urged the officers to complete desilting of major drains by second week of October. Canals such as Uppanar, Karuvadikuppam and Gorimedu should be cleaned to allow free flow of rainwater, the Minister said.

A release from the Minister’s Office said the officers were asked to take necessary measures to avoid water-logging during heavy rains. Directions were issued to the officers to maintain all equipment, including pump sets, in proper condition for draining out rainwater in case of inundation. PWD Chief Engineer K. Veeraselvam attended the meeting, the release said.