WRAP-UP MEETING: D.S.Mishra, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (left), who headed a Central team for assessment of flood damage in the State, at a meeting with Revenue department officials in Chennai on Sunday. — Photo: S. R. Ra ghunathan

CHENNAI: The Central team that assessed the flood damage in the State will incorporate the salient features of long-term preventive measures being evolved by the State Government in the annexure of its report to be submitted to the Centre, said D.S. Mishra, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, who led the team.

After a wrap-up meeting with senior officials here on Sunday, Mr. Mishra told reporters that the State Government had been working on a water management plan, mainly for the delta region, where the damage to crops and infrastructure was heavy because of heavy rain and due to release of excess water from the Mettur reservoir.

The Government might need time to finalise a comprehensive plan to improve the drainage system to prevent inundation and harvest water going into the sea, he said.

It would have to take up the issues with the Planning Commission and the Ministry concerned. "Since we have come to know that such things are recurring, we feel that some long-term measures can be taken up. We will be recommending this as a plan measure."

Plan for Chennai

The Government was evolving a special plan for Chennai, as there was substantial loss to infrastructure in the metropolis, Mr. Mishra said.

A copy of the Government's suggestions on long-term preventive measures was handed over to the Central team, he said.

The team would submit its report to the Union Home Ministry as per the guidelines and on the basis of its detailed assessment of the situation in ten days. The recommendations would be taken up by a high-level committee, which would forward them to the Ministry for action, Mr. Mishra said.

By and large, people in the affected areas were satisfied with relief measures.

In some areas, victims said the administration could have done more.

Personnel in the field might have had their own limitations and parameters in extending assistance, he said, adding that the team, which conducted extensive field study in the affected areas in three groups, met legislators, representatives of local bodies and leaders of farmers' associations.

The team also conducted field studies in Pondicherry. The Karaikal region in the Union Territory was badly affected, Mr. Mishra said.

Special Commissioner and Commissioner for Revenue Administration R. Santhanam; Revenue Secretary Shaktikanta Das; Officer on Special Duty (Relief and Rehabilitation) C.V. Shankar; and officials from the Rural Development, Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Animal Husbandry, Public Works and other departments participated in the meeting.

Officials of the Chennai Corporation, Metrowater and Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board also attended the meeting.

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