Govt taking all steps to address rain-related issues: CM

, Oct 29:

Government on Wednesday said it has put in preventive measures as well as stepped up relief efforts following the active north east monsoon that has been bringing copious rains to the state since October 18.

Responding to DMK President M Karunanidhi's statement that the relief measures should be expedited by the administration, Chief Minister O Panneeselvam said his government was working in full swing in addressing rain-related issues.

High-ranking officials had already been deputed to 20 affected districts and they were overseeing relief operations and quick work by the government had helped the rescue of ten persons with the help of helicopters in flooded areas in Kalipatti in Dindigul last week, he said.

Respective Ministers had already reviewed the situation with their officials, he said in a statement here in response to Karunanidhi who had made a plea on Sunday that government should expedite relief measures.

The Chief Minister said that 53,000 acres of standing crops had been submerged in Cauvery Delta areas and the government will work out the relief package after the waters recede.

PTI