Chennai: Following orders from Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, several ministers and officials travelled to the affected areas where cyclone Gaja wreaked havoc.
Speaking to presspersons in Vedaranyam, the most affected area, Nagapattinam collector Suresh Kumar said the most damage was caused by uprooted trees. “The Vedaranyam-Nagapattinam road has seen major tree-fall. These trees are being moved in full swing by the police department, rural development department and other officials. Since the damage was already predicted, we were prepared,” he said. Three National Disaster Response Force and two State Disaster Response Force teams were stationed in Nagapattinam since Wednesday, he said, adding that they were able to immediately get on the job.
Vedaranyam also faced severe electricity and telephone and mobile network loss. They were prepared for this too, Suresh Kumar said. “We are using wireless services, ham radio and other ways to keep contact,” he said.
Speaking of the 16 airforce staff who were rumoured to have gone missing near Kodiakkarai, the collector assured that they are safe. “We have been speaking to the NDRF deputy commandant over there. Through him, we are speaking to them regularly,” he said.
Food and civil supplies minister R. Kamaraj visited Thiruvarur district and took stock of the affected areas on Friday morning. Travelling on a two-wheeler, the minister stopped to speak to residents, shop owners and others in the area.
Pudukottai Collector Ganesh too took stock of the damage in his district. The Tirchy-Karaikal toll plaza completely collapsed a, blocking the highway.
“All damages caused by fallen trees will be cleaned up within 12 hours. The electricity will take time to be restored, but we are sectioning them out and fixing them,” he said. There wasn't much heavy rain, but the winds lashed out in the town,” he said.
