Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120557770300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Entire paddy crop lost: Collector

Special Correspondent

In the delta region of Tiruvarur district

TIRUVARUR: The entire samba and thaladi paddy crops raised in about 1.35 lakh hectares (1.08 lakh hectares of samba and 26,600 hectares of thaladi) raised in the Cauvery delta region of Tiruvarur district this year was completely lost in the recent heavy rains, said M. Chandrasekaran, Collector, on Thursday.

Talking to The Hindu, the Collector said that the total loss in the district was estimated at Rs.698 crore in the rains. Besides the loss of paddy crops in 1.35 lakh hectares, 1.82 lakh houses (97,000 fully and 85,000 partially) were damaged, 40 people lost their lives, about 1,000 km of roads of National Highways, State Highways, urban and panchayat roads, 139 small bridges and culverts and 74 government buildings damaged.

Mr. Chandrasekaran pointed out that relief work was in full swing and about 6.54 lakh people were sheltered in 959 relief camps and being provided food. In all 573 revenue villages were affected. Following receding of water in some villages, about three lakh people have started returning to their homes.

As many as 75 medical camps were set up in various parts of the district for providing free medical aid to the affected people.

The approach roads to various towns that were damaged due to breaches were being repaired and normal vehicular traffic was restored to important places like Mannargudi, Tiruthuraipoondi, Valangaiman, Muthupettai and Alangudi in the district.

The Collector said that the government had deputed senior officials to monitor and look after relief works in the district and pointed out that relief assistance was being disbursed in villages.