Puducherry: A former French colony known for its systematic town planning, many areas of Puducherry now present a picture of devastation with close to 400 houses damaged by the rains. Puducherry has been battered by heavy rains since the beginning of November and officials have assessed that such a quantum of downpour had not been seen in the last 100 years.
The total rainfall that would be normally be received during the three month period of October, November and December under the influence of North East monsoon has been received in one month (November) alone in Puducherry. Large areas have been inundated in Puducherry and over 400 houses damaged due to torrential rains, forcing evacuation of thousands of people.
As many as 173 relief centres are operating in Puducherry and Karaikal region and more than 10,000 people have been evacuated to safer places, Commissioner for Relief and Secretary to Government V Candavelou said.
Puducherry Administration has intensified steps to tackle the situation arising out of the torrential rains which was "unprecedented, serious and worst in last 100 years", Chief Secretary Manoj Parida has said. The Chief Secretary said that an inter-ministerial official team headed by Joint Secretary to Union Agriculture Ministry Prasad had already visited the Union Territory and assessed the damage.
Subsequent to the team's visit, Puducherry has been pounded by a fresh bout of rain. Hence a supplementary report is being finalised which would be forwarded to the Centre. He said the Lt Governor and Chief Minister had spoken to the Prime Minister's Office bringing to their notice the havoc caused in Puducherry.
Inundation of water was more on the outskirts of the boulevard limits while most of the streets within the boulevard limits have escaped the stagnation of water. The official machinery had been geared to pump water out of the low-lying areas. The rain has exposed several weaknesses in so far as maintenance of drains at various places and also in laying of roads, which could withstand the heavy traffic and also heavy rains.
A resolution of the five-party people's welfare front comprising CPI, CPI (Marxist), VCK, RSP and MDMK has said the government should revive the French designed 'Syndicat Agricol' system in villages so that desilting of tanks and water bodies could be taken up on regular basis as was done in the pre-merger days.
Lt Governor A K Singh is holding review meetings, visiting the rain-ravaged villages and directing the officials to make speedy assessment of the damage.
Chief Minister N Rangasamy, who drove through several villages, has submitted a detailed report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assessing the damage to farm lands, roads, infrastructure besides setback to animal husbandry.
Rangasamy has sought Rs 183 crores from the Centre.This assessment was prior to the intensification of rains. It has been now decided that a supplementary report will be sent to the Centre.
