PUDUCHERRY: Nearly 400 houses suffered damages in the torrential rainfalls that battered Puducherry where rescue operations continued and people were moved to relief centres as water inundated several parts of the city.
Speaking about the situation in the Union Territory, District Collector D Manikandan said a total of 383 houses had been damaged in the rains. Revenue and other department staff had evacuated more than 1000 rain-hit people to relief centres while more than two lakh food packets had been distributed since last two days.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also pressed into service its two teams in the region.
Manikandan told reporters that government has geared up its machinery to meet any exigency and request the people not to believe in rumours on the rain situation.
Medical help was also being provided without loss of time, he said, and pointed out that so far no casualty has been reported from the Union Territory.
Welfare and Tourism Minister P Rajavelu today visited the rain-ravaged housing colonies in Embalam (reserved) Assembly constituency and assessed the damages.
The Collector added that of the 110 water bodies in Puducherry 103 tanks and lakes had received water to their full capacities in the wake of torrential rains since last nearly a month here.
Puducherry recorded 7.3 cm rainfall during the last 24 hours that ended at 8.30 am today and projected a cumulative rainfall of 44 cm rainfall since beginning of this week.
Meanwhile, several voluntary organisations launched relief works in rain-hit areas and distributed food packets, blankets and water bottles to affected people in and around Puducherry.
Puducherry Heritage Round Table (167), the Rotary Club and volunteers of various social outfits rendered help to the affected sections.
The Puducherry Heritage Round Table launched distribution of 10,000 food packets during the three days from today, according to Vineet and N Venkataramany, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, respectively, of the group.
The programme had the cooperation of the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management of Puducherry government which facilitated its implementation.
Lt Governor Lt General (retired) A K Singh had yesterday held discussions with the officials of the Revenue department, local administration, police and other departments and visited the rain-hit areas in and around Puducherry.