NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, NEW DELHI, PUDUCHERRY, DEC 3
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted a review meeting on Tuesday with concerned ministers overseeing flood-affected areas in the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. During the meeting, the Chief Minister also announced compensation for damages caused by the cyclone.
- CM Stalin announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding and heavy downpours
- Congress MP moves adjournment motion in LS seeking ‘immediate’ relief funds for TN, Puducherry
- Indian Army mobilizes four columns of jawans on standby for rescue operations in Puducherry
- A column from Madras Engineers, Bengaluru reaches Chennai for deployment in Puducherry whenever required
The ministers overseeing districts including Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai and Cuddalore were present in the meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu Ministers E V Velu, MRK Panneerselvam and Ponmudy, who are indulged in relief works, also joined the meeting via video conference.
CM Stalin announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding and heavy downpours caused by the cyclonic storm. He also announced Rs 10,000 for damaged houses. The Chief Minister assured priority construction of damaged houses under the Kalaignar Dream House scheme. For crop damages including paddy up to 33 per cent and above, the state government would provide Rs 17,000 per hectare and Rs 22,500 per hectare would be given for perennial crops, and trees.
CM Stalin further announced Rs 8,500 per hectare as compensation for other crop types. Those who lost their livestock including only bulls and cows in the floods would get Rs 37,500 as compensation. For lost goats and hens in the floods, the state government would provide Rs 4,000 and Rs 100 as compensation, respectively.
The ration card holders in flood-affected areas of Villupuram, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi will receive a compensation of Rs 2,000 on account of livelihood being lost. Special camps will be set up in flood-affected areas to assist people who have lost their Voter ID card, ration card and other identity proofs, CM Stalin said, adding that textbooks for school students will also be distributed.
Army mobilizes 4 columns of jawans on standby for rescue operations in Puducherry
Indian Army's two columns continue with flood rescue and relief mission at Kambalikaran Kuppam in Embalam and Karaiyamputhur near Bahour in Puducherry for the 3rd day on 3 Nov '24. Over 1000 people have been rescued in first two days. Madras Engineers Group column ready to move pic.twitter.com/ndHplocroM
— Defence PRO Chennai (@Def_PRO_Chennai) December 3, 2024
Incessant rainfall in the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal wreaked havoc across Puducherry, causing floods and significantly disrupting normal life in the union territory. Several villages along the Malattar River were inundated due to the floods in the region. Vaduvaguppam, Manamedu, Kaduvanur, Karaiyamputhur and Pagur were among the worst affected areas. Meanwhile, several roads in Nettapakkam were submerged due to waterlogging in the area.
The Indian Army has ramped up its rescue operations in Puducherry, mobilising multiple columns of personnel and resources to assist civilians affected by Cyclone Fengal.
The Indian Army has kept four columns of its personnel on a standby for rescue and relief works whenever the need arises. While two columns from the Dakshin Bharat Area of the Indian Army are undertaking rescue mission in flood affected areas of Puducherry from the 1st of this month, another column from the Madras Engineers Group, Bengaluru comprising 66 members has arrived Chennai with relief materials early this morning for deploying in Puducherry whenever required.
Meanwhile, after a joint on-ground reconnaissance in the morning today, by the civil administration, the Indian Army column commanders and the NDRF representatives, the two Columns from the Army’s Dakshin Bharat Area who are already on the field have been employed for rescue operations for the third day today.
The first column with 61 Army personnel led by Maj Ajay Kumar Sangwan has moved to Kambalikaran Kuppam in Embalam. The second column under Maj Solar Mani Pradhan has moved to Karaiyamputhur close to Bahour, where stranded people are being rescued. The Commanding Officer of the Indian Army’s 16-Madras Corps is in Puducherry for effective coordination with the civil administration and the Army personnel monitoring the rescue operations.
In the first two days of the operations, more than a 1000 stranded persons were safely evacuated by the Indian Army personnel from the affected areas in Krishna Nagar, Kuber Nagar, Jiva Nagar & NR Nagar in Puducherry.
Congress’ Manickam Tagore moves adjournment motion in LS
Congress MP B Manickam Tagore raised an adjournment motion in Parliament on Tuesday seeking an urgent discussion on the allocation of emergency relief funds.
Tagore highlighted the cyclone’s severity, emphasizing the need for swift financial aid to help restore normalcy. He raised concerns about the significant devastation in affected areas, calling for immediate attention from the Central government to mitigate further hardship.
