CHENNAI: A nine-member team of officials from the Central government began the assessment of the damage done by cyclone Vardah in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, on Wednesday.
The delegation is led by Praveen Vashishta, a joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Ahead of their visit, the delegation met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and senior officials including from those from the Revenue Department, who made a powerpoint presentation explaining the damage to public infrastructure due to the December 12 cyclone.
Panneerselvam requested the delegation to study the damage in depth and report back to the Home Ministry immediately.
The Chief Minister reeled off all the work done by his government by way of rescue and restoration, which he said was done on a ‘war footing’. Ministers and IAS officers were deputed to the affected districts.
The Greater Chennai Corporation launched relief and restoration operations; a massive operation was launched to restore power supply and remove fallen trees; police, fire service and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were extensively used; equipment such as power saws, JCBs and tipper lorries were mobilised from all over Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states.
The Tamil Nadu government released Rs 500 crores from its Disaster Response Fund for immediate relief and restoration activities. Damage assessment teams were set up and relief was given to the affected people.
The Chief Minister then reminded the delegation that he had sent a detailed memorandum to the Prime Minister assessing the fund requirement for relief and reconstruction at Rs 22,573 crore.
Praveen Vashista said the damage done by Vardah could be sensed even in Delhi. When the delegation landed at the airport in Chennai, the speedy restoration wrought by the state government was evident, for which they commended the State government.
The delegation also met 14 MLAs representing constituencies in Chennai and its suburban areas, led by former Mayor M Subramanian and received from them a memorandum on the constituency-wise damage.
Subramanian told media persons that over one lakh trees have been lost in Chennai alone, in addition to hundreds of hutments, transformers and electric poles.
After the Secretariat meetings, the team visited various parts of the city including the Panagal Park, the Anna Arch near the Thirumangalam tree dump yard and the Vandalur Zoo.
On Thursday, the team will visit Royapuram, Kallukadaimedu village, Chinnambedu, Sholavaram, Sothuperumpedu, Orakkadu, Arumandai, Seemavaram, Periyamullaivoyal, Vazhudigaimedu and Madiyur.