Chennai: Third-time Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam appears to have efficiently handled the crisis that brew out of the tropical cyclone Vardah.
The Chief Minister who had geared up the official machinery ahead of the devastating cyclone and ensured prompt action has informed that the Vardah had claimed 16 human lives besides uprooted 12,000 trees in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts on a single day.
Panneerselvam who announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of all those dead due to the cyclone, also ordered compensation to those who lost their dwellings. About 1,388 huts were completely damaged and 5,739 huts were partly damaged.
He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
From the time he received information about the cyclone on Dec.10, the CM utilised the official machinery and the social media extensively to ensure the message reached the people. “Immediately after the IMD issued a warning on Dec.10, I took up precautionary measures which prevented the loss of lives to a considerable extent when the tropical cyclone Vardah lashed Chennai port at a velocity of 130 km. This has also minimised the damages to properties and inspite of all these there has been damage when Vardah made a landfall,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.
Detailing the incidents, he said in a release here on Tuesday that about 13,578 persons from the low lying areas were evacuated and lodged in 104 camps and taken care of. “I have ordered a committee of officials for 15 divisions in Chennai to take up the relief and restoration,” he informed.
