Tamil Nadu

Rains have caused heavy damage to crops, infrastructure: Minister

— Photo: M. Moorthy

ASSESSING DAMAGE: Public Works Minister M. Durai Murugan inspecting water flow at the Coleroon near Tiruchi on Friday. Transport Minister K.N. Nehru and Forest Minister N. Selvaraj are in the picture.

TIRUCHI: The torrential rain spell brought in by the cyclonic storm, Nisha, has caused heavy damage to crops and infrastructure in the State, Durai Murugan, Public Works Department Minister, said here on Friday.

“Crops in large areas have been submerged. Several villages have been inundated and houses damaged,” he told reporters after inspecting the rain-affected areas in Tiruchi district along with Transport Minister K.N. Nehru and Forest Minister N. Selvaraj.

Many irrigation canals and tanks suffered breaches. The natural courses of canals had been breached, inundating fields and villages.

However, the extent of the damage could be fully assessed only after the flood waters receded, the Minister said.

PWD officials told journalists that about 35,000 cusecs of water was let out into the Coleroon River from the Grand Anicut and nearly 1.50 lakh cusecs was draining into the sea.

Asked whether the government had decided on the quantum of financial assistance to be sought from the Centre, Mr. Durai Murugan said this could be finalised only after District Collectors sent their reports.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had already made an initial allotment of Rs.100 crore for carrying out relief works. He also asked the Highways Minister to assess the damage caused to roads and give him a report. But even this would be possible only after the flood waters receded.

In Tiruchi district, the bunds of the Uyyakondan River had breached inundating paddy fields and the Kuvalai drain was overflowing.

An underground tunnel to drain the Kuvalai Vaical near the Grand Anicut would be renovated and PWD officials had been asked to prepare estimates for constructing an additional tunnel to ensure quick draining of water at times of heavy discharge, the Minister said.

A proposal for constructing a tunnel to drain the waters of the Uyyakondan River near Kattur, already drawn up, would be implemented soon. Tenders for the flood prevention scheme for Tiruchi had already been finalised and the works would commence soon, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Durai Murugan inspected the breaches on the Uyyakondan River, which was on spate, the inundation of paddy fields near Vengur, Natarajapuram and other places.

Talking to media persons after visiting the rain-affected areas from Tirukattupalli to Thanjavur, Mr. Durai Murugan said the government had already requested the Centre to send a team to visit the affected areas and also asses the damage caused to paddy and other agricultural crops. The team was expected to visit shortly.

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