Chennai: At a time when severe cyclonic storm Gaja failed to bring rains for Chennai, the new low pressure area over Bay of Bengal has revived hopes for the parched city as Met department has predicted rainfall over North Tamilnadu for the next two days.
On the other hand, the impact of Gaja has started to show its ugly face with people in the affected areas struggling to make ends meet. They staged protests in some areas and Ministers were gheraoed. But the government has assured relief on a war-footing.
An official said, “The low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean is likely to become more marked over central parts of south Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours and move towards our coast. In wake of this, scattered heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur over Chennai, North Tamilnadu, Puducherry, and isolated heavy to very heavy rain is also likely to occur over South Tamilnadu tomorrow and on Wednesday.”
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat with the officials and discussed relief measures in the cyclone affected areas. He will visit the localities tomorrow to access the situation there.
Tamilnadu government, in its findings, has revealed that Gaja has caused losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore. In the first phase, Rs 500 crore will be allotted by the government. Health Minister Vijayabhaskar also accessed cyclone hit areas in Viralimalai, Pudukottai District.
President on phone
President Ramnath Kovind expressed his support for the victims today. In a tweet, he said, “Spoke to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu and inquired about the situation in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja, expressed condolences to bereaved families. People and government of India are standing by those in distress in the state.”
DMK’s Rs 1 cr
DMK president M K Stalin today announced Rs one crore relief from his party. His party MLAs and MPs have also been asked to donate their one-month salary for the process. Actor Sivakumar has informed that he will be donating Rs 50 lakh on behalf of his family. Actor Vishal has also urged people to donate coconut saplings along with relief materials.
Udhayakumar’s version
While electricity supply got restored in few places in Nagapattinam District, over 200 villages still remain without power. Earlier Revenue and Disaster Management Minister R B Udhayakumar said, “Even if the Chief Minister has not personally visited the affected areas, he is continuously monitoring the relief activities. He is in regular touch with us. People should not believe those who say protest is the only means of getting relief measures. It is only with the cooperation of people, relief activities are going on smoothly. Women are playing a major role in this.”
This response by the Minister came after a section of people in Thiruthuraipoondi protested for relief.