PUDUCHERRY: The heavy rains which lashed the region in the last four days left people in a state of misery, particularly those in rural areas, causing damage to the agricultural produce and roads. Many places were inundated with rainwater entering the houses and flooding the roads.
The rainwater clogged areas of Bahour, Mannadipattu, Thirubuvanai, Kuttchipalayam, Kalapet, Villianur, Thirukkanur and Ariyankuppam, according to the residents of these areas.
Purushothaman, one of the residents of Bahour, said he could not come out of his house as the roads were under knee-deep water. The agricultural fields and roads were submerged, he added.
It may be noted that the rural roads were not properly maintained, leading to the flood situation.
The residents of Shanmuga Nagar and Ariyankuppam, where more than 650 houses were located, had a tough time as the roads had not been laid. The government had allotted funds for the construction of drains, which was yet to take off.
The farmers suffered losses as several acres of land with sugarcane, banana, rice, etc. went under water.
The official machinery too had a hard time pumping the rainwater out, but the rain, which kept away on Deepavali day, was back on Wednesday morning.
Back in the town, the citizens, who struggled to celebrate the Festival of Lights, woes continued as the newly-laid roads were damaged in the onslaught. In many main streets, the surface of roads developed patches and in some places potholes. The two- wheeler riders found it difficult to identify such dangerous spots.
The tar on the roads in front of the District Collectorate at Saram came off.
The fishermen did not venture into the sea on Wednesday also due to rough sea conditions.