Date:29/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112958310300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi visits relief camps

Special Correspondent

Photo: DIPR

Making enquiries: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi distributes relief material at Gandhi Mandapam, a makeshift camp for the rain-hit, in Chennai on Friday. —

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi made a whirlwind tour of the city to get a first hand account of the ravages caused by the rain and to offer solace to the affected.

The Chief Minister’s day began at 4 a.m. He read the reports that were faxed to his residence from the district capitals and the affected areas. He then telephoned the Collectors of all the coastal districts for an update and then followed this up with a call to the Ministers in charge of the affected districts.

Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin, who was in Cuddalore, was slated to reach Nagapattinam by Friday evening, could not take the direct highway to Nagapattinam. Instead, he left for Tiruchi and would direct relief efforts in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam on Saturday.

After assessing the situation, he said that he decided to tour Chennai because of the excess draining of water from Chembarambakkam and the flooding in north Chennai.

Mr.Karunanidhi said that people in Kotturpuram, Saidapet and Perambur had expressed their happiness over the arrangements made. Many in Gandhi Mandapam – which was converted into a makeshift relief camp – said that they were pleased with the fact that the Chief Minister himself had come to make enquiries. Mr. Karunanidhi distributed relief material and food to the affected people.

Later in the afternoon, the Chief Minister’s office was collating information of the damage across the State. Mr.Karunanidhi said that the worst affected districts were Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Villupuram. Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tiruchi were affected partly.