Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 6: People in Chennai and its suburbs continued to struggle with stagnant water and power outages two days after Cyclone Michaung-induced rain caused severe waterlogging in the Tamil Nadu capital, even as near normal life was gradually being restored in and around Baptala, a day after the cyclone made the landfall point in the Andhra Pradesh coast, as people were seen coming out of their houses on Wednesday.
While in Chennai, the Indian Air Force (IAF), engaged in relief operations in the city, used Chetak helicopters to drop relief supplies in different localities of Chennai, in AP the roads which were seen deserted for the last two days were now teeming with the locals purchasing vegetables, groceries and women fetching water in the colonies. Fishermen returned to the backwaters of Upputeru at Adavi village, where the boats were anchored, local women were seen selling fish caught in the backwaters.
Videos on Chennai doing the rounds on social media show people stranded on roofs while IAF helicopters drop bags of food and medical supplies. While the IAF provided relief materials in Chennai, the Coast Guard dropped supplies in Cholavaram, 24 km north of the capital.
As a preventative measure to mitigate electrical risks associated with submerged cables, power supply was temporarily halted in certain areas. A holiday has also been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai on Thursday.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking ₹5,060 crore as interim relief to rectify the damages caused by cyclone Michaung. According to a press release by the government, Mr Stalin, in his letter, had pointed out that Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, witnessed unprecedented rainfall because of the cyclone. Roads, bridges, public buildings and other infrastructure had incurred damages in these four districts, especially in the Greater Chennai Corporation area. The release said the Chief Minister had explained this in detail in his letter and sought ₹ 5,060 to be released immediately as interim relief.
The CM further said a detailed assessment of the damage had begun and a request for additional funds would be made once a detailed report on the impact was prepared. The Chief Minister also requested that a team be sent by the Union government to inspect the affected areas.
In AP, however, regular tourist activity picked up at the Suryalanka beach, traders were seen re-opening their stalls, horse owners were training the animals at tourist spots, while hoteliers resumed their business after three days. “Many tourists will visit Suryalanka beach to enjoy the seafood now. Visitors from Hyderabad, Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada, Chennai and other cities will plan for a trip during weekends,” said local vendors.
Employees of Andhra Pradesh Transco, Revenue and Police departments were seen removing fallen tree branches and erecting the damaged electric poles in Suryalanka and other villages. According to official sources, more than 100 electric poles were damaged and 50 trees were uprooted in the district since Monday night. Hundreds of people searched for valuables and money along the shore after the calamity had passed.
MK Stalin visited flood-affected areas and distribute food and supplies at a relief camp in the city. DMK MP TR Baalu, speaking during Zero Hour in Parliament on Wednesday demanded that the floods be declared as a national calamity, and sought the Centre’s assistance to mitigate the situation. “After 47 years this type of flood has occurred. Heavy damage has been inflicted on properties, and more than 17 people have died,” he said.
“In this context is it not proper for the Government of India to declare this situation as a national calamity? I thought the Home Ministry would have done it by now. More than four feet of water is there everywhere… Even food and relief material is being sent by boats,” he added. The Prime Minister said his thoughts were with the families who lost relatives due to rain-related incidents. PM Modi insisted that authorities were working tirelessly to assist in relief and rescue operations.
