Over 26,000 people shifted to relief camps in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts: T.N. govt.

A house damaged in the floods at Arakandanallur in Villupuram on Tuesday, December 3, 2024
| Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday (December 4, 2024) said it had shifted over 26,000 people from the areas hit by the floods in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore districts — following Cyclone Fengal’s devastating impact — to relief camps, and they have been provided with food, milk, and essential items.

An official release said, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had visited the areas affected by Cyclone Fengal, had advised the Ministers in-charge, District Monitoring Officers, and authorities concerned to step up relief measures. Based on the orders of Mr. Stalin, Ministers K. Ponmudy, V. Senthilbalaji, and S.S. Sivasankar, along with senior officials, have been coordinating the flood relief efforts in Villupuram district. In Cuddalore, Ministers M.R.K. Panneerselvam and C.Ve. Ganesan are overseeing the efforts, while in Kallakurichi, Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu is leading the same.

Since December 1, residents in low-lying areas have been evacuated and shifted to relief camps. In Villupuram district, a total of 4,906 persons were evacuated and shifted to 67 relief camps. Food was prepared in five community kitchens of the Rural Development Department and distributed to over 27,432 people. The Health Department had conducted 116 special medical camps benefitting 8,464 people. A total of 728 houses suffered partial damage and 132 houses suffered total damage during the cyclone.

In Cuddalore district, flood warning was issued to people living in 25 revenue villages on the banks of Thenpennai river, and with the coordinated efforts of the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Revenue and Disaster Management, and other departments, as many as 19,654 persons were shifted to safety in 35 relief camps. They have been provided food prepared at 15 community kitchens.

In Kallakurichi district, a total of 574 houses were damaged during the floods and 147 heads of cattle died. A total of ₹37,04,000 was distributed as relief to those affected. The district administration opened 16 relief camps and accommodated nearly 1,980 flood-affected persons. Over 7,000 people were screened by the Health Department through special camps.

The respective district administrations provided food, water, milk, biscuits, medicines, and other essential items to those staying in relief camps. In all these districts, massive cleanliness drives were organised and health camps were conducted, the release added.