Kanyakumari: PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday urged the Union government to declare the damage due to Cyclone Ockhi that left a trail of devastation in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of Tamil Nadu as a “national disaster” and speed up relief and rehabilitation works.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the cyclone-ravaged parts of Kanyakumari district, Anbumani also asked the Tamil Nadu Government to immediately cancel all MGR Centenary celebrations and spend all its energy on getting back normal life in these three districts.
The Dharmapuri MP and former Union Health Minister also warned the state government that there were chances of communicable diseases spreading in several areas in these districts since many areas are still inundated in rainwater.
“Steps should be taken to ensure that electricity is restored immediately and rain water is pumped out using machines and motors from low-lying areas. The Centre should announce the damages caused due to Cyclone Ockhi as a national disaster and immediately sanction funds”, the PMK leader said.
Visiting the affected people lodged in camps and distributing food and relief materials to them, Anbumani also told the state government that the Rs 25 crore sanctioned by it for relief works in Kanyakumari district was not enough.
He also demanded that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami immediately visit the affected areas and assess the damage caused due to the cyclone.
“The government should stop holding MGR Centenary events and instead concentrate their energy on relief and rehabilitation in these areas,” he said.
