PUDUCHERRY: Anticipating heavy downpour and probable cyclone, the UT administration has put in place mechanisms to deal with any kind of eventuality, according to Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
Talking to the media here, on Saturday, after visiting the rain-affected areas, he said that the official machinery is keeping close watch on the situation. PWD, Health, Local Administration and Electricity departments have been geared up to meet any exigency, he added.
Earlier, Rangasamy directed officials of the agriculture department to assess the damages in Puducherry and Karaikal regions and submit a report forthwith. Plantain, tapioca and betel leaf plantations are the ones said to have been affected much by the incessant rains.
“Once the report is available, government would decide the quantum of relief to farmers,” the Chief Minister said.
As a fallout of the heavy rains, vegetable prices here has skyrocketed in the last few days.
Steps are being taken to pump out water from inundated places and clear garbage. District collectors have been directed to monitor the situation, while the health department has been directed to take all preventive measures to prevent outbreak of diseases.
A meeting under Local Administration Minister N G Panneerselvam discussed the provision of rain relief and cleareance of accumulated garbage on a war-footing. Higher Education Minister P R Siva, Legislator Nehru and Secretary G Ragesh Chandra are among those who participated in the meeting.
Evacuation Advised
Meanwhile, people residing on the banks of the Sankarabharani river have been advised to move to safer places as the 38 ft Veedur dam had reached 24 ft owing to non-stop rainfall in the last few days. The advice follows the need to open the shutter within the next few days.
Lop Urges L-G to Confer with officials
Puducherry: Alleging that the AINRC government in the Union Territory of not having taken any precautionary measure to meet the challenges of the heavy downpour and accusing it of being inactive since the Deepavali festival, leader of the opposition V Vaithilingam demanded that the Lieutenant Governor A K Singh take stock of the situation by conferring with the Chief Secretary and others to ensure the safety and security to the life and property of citizens. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Vaithilingam called upon the Lt governor to deliberate on the scenario with officials, at least, through video conferencing. Demanding steps on a war-footing to clear the garbage, Vaithilingam said that 50 per cent man power and vehicles were reduced by the new contract agency for clearing the dirt as compared to the previous agency.