Rain resumes in Puducherry, over 10,000 evacuated

PUDUCHERRY: After a 13-hour lull, heavy showers resumed today in Puducherry where large areas have been inundated and over 400 houses damaged due to torrential rains, forcing evacuation of thousands of people.

As many as 173 relief centres were operating in Puducherry and Karaikal region and more than 10,000 people were evacuated to safer places, Commissioner for Relief and Secretary to Government V Candavelou said.

All schools and colleges will remain closed till December 6, according to Electricity Minister T.Thiagarajan.

Lt Governor A K Singh today visited rain hit pockets while Chief Minister N Rangasamy took stock of the situation in interior villages.

People of Puducherry had some short-lived relief when rains stopped last night. However, as the day advanced the Union Territory was again battered by heavy rains.

According to the weather forecast, Puducherry and Karaikal regions as well as Cuddalore district in neighbouring Tamil Nadu were likely to get very heavy rains during the next couple of days.

Puducherry Administration has intensified steps to manage the situation arising out of the torrential rains which was "unprecedented, serious and worst in last 100 years", Chief Secretary Manoj Parida said at a press connference.

He said that already two teams of National Disaster Relief Response had arrived at Puducherry and one of them had rushed to Karaikal, where very heavy rains are expected, to respond to any emergency situation.

The Union Territory government had sought a central assistance of Rs 182 crore. Chief Minister N.Rangasamy had sent letters seeking the assistance to Prime Minister and also to the Union Home Minister in the wake of heavy rains during the last one month.

The Chief Secretary said that an inter-ministerial official team headed by Joint Secretary to Union Agriculture Ministry Prasad had already visited the Union Territory and assessed the damage.

Subsequent to the team's visit, Puducherry has been pounded by a fresh bout of rain. Hence a supplementary report is being finalised which would be forwarded to the Centre.

He said the Lt Governor and Chief Minister had spoken to the Prime Minister's Office bringing to their notice the havoc caused in Puducherry during the last two days.