Other States - Puducherry

Report on rain damage to be sent to Centre soon

PUDUCHERRY: The government will soon send a detailed report to the Union government seeking financial assistance for providing relief to rain-affected families in the Puducherry and Karaikal regions, Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam has said.

After assessing the damage caused by the rain, the government would send a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, he told reporters.

Mr. Vaithilingam, on Thursday, convened a high-level meeting to review the situation arising out of the heavy rain. The Karaikal region was declared flood-hit, he said, adding that damage to houses, crops and roads was huge.

As immediate relief to the rain-affected families in the Puducherry and Karaikal regions, the government had decided to provide 10 kg of rice and 2 litres of kerosene to all red ration card holders and another 5 kg to yellow card holders.

Officials had been told to extent all assistance and carry out immediate relief measures without waiting for government clearance, he said.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, the region received a total rainfall of 11 cm till 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. Rain or thundershowers were likely to occur at most places over Puducherry, the RMC said. It had issued a heavy rainfall warning with isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rain for Puducherry during the next 48 hours.

Officials in the Revenue Department said that more than 10 people were injured in a wall collapse on Wednesday night. Several areas were under water, especially in low-level areas in the Puducherry and Oulgaret Municipality limits. Rainwater had started receding in a few places, the officials said.

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