Disaster Response Force personnel remove uprooted trees from a road amid rains, after landfall of Cyclone Fengal, in Cuddalore, on December 1, 2024.
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In view of the “unprecedented” rains received in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has assigned six Ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and senior IAS officers to coordinate relief measures in the two districts. The Tamil Nadu Government is also set to request the Union Government for sending a team to ascertain damage and extend financial assistance.
As on Sunday morning (December 1, 2024), a total of 1,373 people has been accommodated in 26 relief camps in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts. “Mailam, Nemmeli and Vanur in Villupuram district received 48 cm, 46 cm and 41 cm respectively within a span of 24 hours,” he said.
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During an interaction with reporters in the State Emergency Operations Centre, Mr. Stalin said a meeting scheduled in the Secretariat on Monday (December 2, 2024) would discuss the damages incurred in these districts and after the rains, the damages to standing crops would be ascertained by officials.
Asked about relief to affected people, the CM said rain was still on in some districts and relief would be announced only after the rains stopped pouring. Asked if he was hopeful of financial assistance from the Union Government, while funds were already due to the State, Mr. Stalin said: “Let us be optimistic. We were optimistic and requested last time but it did not come through. We will request with the same optimism this time too. If funds do not come through, we will manage like the way we managed last time.”
To a query on if he would visit affected districts, Mr. Stalin said: “Ministers have been sent. Senior officials are there. If necessary, I, as the Chief Minister, would go.”
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“Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin was on his way to these districts,” he said. While Ministers K. Ponmudy, V. Senthilbalaji and S.S. Sivasankar were coordinating efforts in Villupuram district, Ministers M.R.K. Panneerselvam and C.V. Ganesan were doing so for Cuddalore district.
While Water Resources Secretary K. Manivasan was leading a team of IAS officials Alby John, Kiran Gurrala, P. Ponniah and S. Sivarasu to Villupuram district, besides the monitoring officer S.J. Chiru camping in that district, another team led by Rural Development Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi was coordinating efforts in Cuddalore district. IAS officer S.A. Raman and two RDOs were in that team.
“A total of 12 teams drawn from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deputed to Villupuram and Cuddalore districts,” he said. “Conservancy workers from neighbouring districts were being moved to Villupuram district,” the CM said.
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BOX-Chennai prepared to face any situation, says Stalin
“A total of 1,018 people were accommodated in 32 relief camps in Chennai and were being provided food and essential supplies,” he said. Till Sunday morning (December 1, 2024), 9.10 lakh food packets have been distributed and 386 Amma Unavagams fed 1.07 people free of charge on Saturday (November 30, 2024).
“More than 22,000 workers from various government agencies were involved in relief measures in Chennai,” he said. “Chennai is prepared to face and manage any situation,” he underlined.
“Elaborating on the relief measures being undertaken in Chennai,” Mr. Stalin said. “Vehicular traffic has resumed in 21 of the 22 subways expect in Ganesapuram where works were on for a railway over bridge. Water was being cleared out in various parts of north Chennai,” he said.
Published – December 01, 2024 03:01 pm IST
