PUDUCHERRY: As many as 98 houses in Puducherry have been damaged, while crops in around 1,000 acres have been affected in the recent rains that lashed Puducherry.
Briefing reporters at a press conference here on Monday, District Collector D Manikandan said two or three houses were fully damaged, while the rest suffered partial damages. Banana, paddy and betel nut crops have been affected.
The Agriculture Department has prepared a preliminary report. But as it is still raining, it a cumulative report would be submitted after the downpour stopped and water receded.
The administration is taking steps to provide compensation of `1.5 lakh to the next of kin of Sundaramurthy, who lost his life in a wall collapse, as well as to those whose houses have been damaged in a couple of days. Allaying fears, he said there was no need for any panic as cyclone or deep depression had been ruled out. But the rain would continue for the next two days, as per the Meteorological Department’s forecast.
Puducherry experienced 32 mm of rainfall on Saturday, 50 mm on Sunday and 120 to 150 mm rainfall is expected in the next two days. For any assistance, people can contact toll free numbers 1010 and 1077 as well as emergency operation centre 0413-2253407.
As water has accumulated in low-lying areas and entered houses, the district administration is pumping out water.
As many as 135 people have been provided with food and medicines at the relief camps. In all, 173 relief camps have been opened for providing shelter to the rain-hit. Stating that there was no outbreak of infectious diseases, he said the Health Department had necessary stock of emergency and essential medicines. This is being made available at the relief centres also.
Power cuts have hit rural areas hard and water supply has been affected in some areas due to non-functioning of generators.
Power supply to primary health centres have also been affected.
The Collector said power supply related issues have been addressed.
The Commune Panchayat and Health Department have been advised to purchase diesel, even from private vendors, and store it for running generators whenever required. Additional funds have also been provided for it, said the Collector.
Manikandan said that the water level in all the 83 water bodies is being monitored.