Rains left trail of devastation: Karunanidhi

Chennai, Nov 29: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Saturday, Nov 29 said the week-long rainfall had left behind a trail of devastation in the state claiming 103 lives and damaging paddy crops on 5.53 lakh hectares of land and 6,700 km of roads. In a statement here, he said the State Government, after releasing the first instalment of Rs 100 crore for relief, was undertaking relief operations on a war footing.

After completely assessing the extent of damage, it would approach the Centre for necessary assistance.

He said reports received so far said the rainfall had claimed 103 lives in various parts of the State besides killing 450 heads of cattle and destroying 50,890 houses, mostly huts.

As much as 6,700 km of roads were damaged. As many as 687 bridges and 402 government buildings suffered damage in the rainfall, he said.

As heavy showers pounded paddy crops on 5,22,290 hectare of land, about seven lakh farmers were affected. Officials, from the Chief Secretary to officers-in-charge, were geared up to provide relief to the affected farmers, he said.

The Chief Minister said the government had opened 2099 relief centres where more than ten lakh people were accomodated. They were being provided with food and medicines. Besides his Ministerial colleagues, the State Police was also pressed into relief and rescue operations in the districts. Affected people, especially those who had lost houses and property, were being given an immediate assistance of Rs 2,000.

So far, the government had distributed a total assistance of Rs 75 lakh.

While workers of ruling DMK and other political parties also involved themselves in the relief works at various places, Opposition AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa blamed the government for not taking up any relief work.

UNI