Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has turbo-charged relief operations with his presence in places that bore the brunt of cyclone Vardah. The Chief Minister visited many places including Mahaballipuram town panchayat office in Kancheepuram district and a community hall in En-nore, Tiruvallur district.
On the first day of his review, Panneerselvam started with an inspection at Ripon Buildings to discuss relief works and on Thursday, he interacted with the civic workers engaged in clearing uprooted trees in south Chennai without any air. A few civic workers were also moved by the gesture of Panneerselvam, who offered water and bread for the staff. Before his departure, he also motivated the sanitary staff for their relief work. However, the status of suburbs continued to be a nightmare for the local residents. blackout, lack of mobile connectivity, shortage of drinking water and piled up waste with wooden logs were a common sight in parts of Selayur, Chitlappakam, Tambaram and Pallavaram areas.
Three days have passed and the relief work carried out by the government machinery is not satisfactory. Life has become strenuous without power and mosquitoes ensure sleepless nights, said N Arun Kumar, a resident of Chitlappakkam. In Chennai, the interior roads in Saidapet, Adyar, Alwarpet and R K Nagar saw some clearing of trees, but majority of the interior roads in north Chennai continue to pose danger to motorists that narrowed down due to the collapse of avenue trees.
Meanwhile residents of Thiruvottriyur, Semencherry and Poonamalee, who have lost their hutments demanded immediate compensation and relief materials. "I have lost my house to the cyclone and my family with kids are stranded. Currently, we are being fed by NGOs and corporation, but we need relief and support from the government," said Kanchana Lakhsmi, a resident of Semencherry.
