PUDUCHERRY: Incessant rains since Saturday night threw normal life out of gear in the Union Territory and its surrounding areas. According to the Met department, Puducherry received 6.8 cm of rain from 8.30 am on Saturday to 8.30 am on Sunday. The region received 4.1 cm between 8.30 am on Sunday and 5.30 pm in the evening.
The areas of Krishna Nagar, Rainbow Nagar, Ezhil Nagar, Bhoomiyanpet, Pavanan Nagar were inundated with water. Rain water filled the areas of Bahour, Karikalampakkam, Villianur and nearby areas causing misery to the residents. Most of the roads were flooded thereby affecting traffic. Drains too began to overflow and added to the confusion and misery of the common man.
The administration has also taken precautionary measures to evacuate people from rain-affected areas and as many as 173 camps have been set up for the purpose.
As Sunday was an auspicious day, many functions, including those at temple, drew very little attendance due to the heavy down pour.
Meanwhile, the Puducherry administration declared Monday a holiday for all government offices and private schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions of the Union Territory.
According to sources, the water level in the 36 ft capacity Veedur dam rose to little over 30 ft. Sources said, as a consequence, the dam may be opened late on Sunday night or on Monday.
It may be noted that as many as 2,200 acres of land in Tamil Nadu and 1,000 acres in Puducherry are being cultivated using the water from Veedur.
The US Climate Prediction Centre has predicted heavy rain for Chennai and its surrounding areas including Puducherry till Monday. If the downpour caused by low depression lose intensity, then rains may slow down on Tuesday. The centre has also predicted that that the next wave of low-pressure area would hit the Tamil Nadu coast between November 27 and December 2.
Pondicherry University examinations (Medical/Engineering) scheduled for Monday, the 23rd November 2015 has been postponed Fresh dates of examinations will be announced later.
Govt Help to Rain-hit Students
Cuddalore: Lending a helping hand to students who had lost their belongings in the recent floods, Commercial tax department minister M C Sampath distributed new text books, school bags and uniform dresses to them at Cuddalore on Sunday. This was done at the behest of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Students of many villages had lost their text books, notebooks, bags and other stationery goods during the recnet rains. Free laptops given by the government too were damaged in the flood.
Collector S Suresh Kumar said, “Distribution of textbooks, school bags and uniform dresses is underway in the district on a war- footing. We are preparing to distribute these things to 10,769 students. In the first phase, we have given the materials to 83 students of the government girls’ high school at Thirupathiripuliyur.”
“Also, steps have been taken to issue ration cards immediately to those who had lost them in the flood. So far, we have received 984 petitions seeking ration cards. They would soon been given copies of ration cards,” he added.
The collector said the work of identifying the students, who lost their certificates in the flood, is being done by women self help groups.