Chennai: An inter-Ministerial team consisting of seven top officials appointed by the Centre will reach Chennai today.
They will assess the damages to cyclone-hit areas for sanctioning of appropriate relief funds.
On the other hand, heavy rains lashed north central and delta regions of Tamilnadu adding to the woes of the Gaja-affected people.
Who’s Who?
The seven officials include Union Home Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary Daniel Richard, Finance Ministry Department of Expenditure Consultant R B Kaul, Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare Director In-charge B K Srivastava, Ministry of Rural Development D S Manik Chandra Pandit, Minstry of Power R K Puram Chief Engineer Vandana Singhal, Ministry of Water Resources Chennai Director J Harsha and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Superintending Engineer R Ellavarason.
They will be starting the assessment from tomorrow morning. They will interact with the villagers, visit the coconut groves damaged by the cyclone besides holding discussions with officials in the respective districts.
More rains predicted
Meanwhile heavy rains lashed Tamilnadu especially the north central and delta regions. A Met official, said, “The low pressure area over interior Tamilnadu and neighbourhood now lies as a trough of low at mean sea level over southeast Arabian sea and adjoining Maldives-Lakshadweep area. In wake of this, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts in the next 24 hours. Thunderstorm with lightning is also likely to occur at isolated places over south coastal Tamilnadu.”
“In the last 24 hours, Chengalpattu recorded a maximum rainfall of 18 cm followed by Maduranthagam which recorded 14 cm. Mahabalipuram recorded 10 cm, Uthiramerur, Vandavasi, 9 cm each, Marakkanam, Parangipettai, Vanur, Gingee, Tindivanam, 8 cm each, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram, Arani, 7 cm each, Avinasi, Polur, Cuddalore, Cholavaram, Redhills, 6 cm each, Neyveli, Tiruvannamalai, Kalavai, Ayikudi, Tambaram, Sirkali, Cheyyar, Thamaraipakkam, Sankarapuram, Manimutharu, Pondicherry, Kvk kattukuppam, Anaikaranchatram, Vellore, 5 cm each, Trangambadi, Ariyalur, Arakonam and Satyabama University 4 cm each,” he added.
HC’s order
Meanwhile Madurai Bench of Madras High Court today ordered the State government to respond to the case demanding Rs 50,000 relief for each uprooted coconut trees in the affected areas. Earlier the State government sanctioned Rs 600 for an uprooted tree.
Elsewhere, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam camped at a hotel in Pudukottai Keezharajaveedhi and inquired about the problems faced by people there. Opposition leader and DMK president M K Stalin meanwhile requested Centre to grant the relief as sought by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy. Remember the Chief Minister met Prime Minister Modi and sought to release Rs 15,000 crore as relief fund.
Schools closed
Due to the ongoing rains, a holiday was declared to schools in Puducherry, Mannargudi, Kottur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai and Needamangalam. In Nagapattinam Revenue Division, a holiday was declared for both schools and colleges.
Four women killed
In a shocking incident in Nagapattinam, four women residing in a flood relief camp were run down by a mini van and were killed on the spot. Another man Manikandan injured in the accident is being treated at Thiruthuraipoondi Government Hospital. Police recovered the bodies and began investigation.