Deluge devastates Cuddalore district

With all the three rivers, Kollidam, Vellaru and Gadilam, in spate around 200 villages remain marooned across the district. Sources attributed the rise in the flow in rivers to the heavy rain in neighbouring districts like Ariyalur, Perambalur, Salem and Tiruvannamalai. The discharge from the Sathanur dam and the flow from several small water bodies add to the situation, sources added.

Around 60,000 cusecs is flowing in Vellaru and 30,000 cusecs in Kollidam, which is the biggest river in the district, according to sources. As the Veeranam lake, the lifeline of Chennai, is nearing its full level, excess water is being discharged from the water body. Besides, all tanks, canals and channels are overflowing in the districts and crops in several thousands of acres have been destroyed in the floods.

Thousands of residents in remote areas in Cuddalore were cut off by water and inundation continued in many parts of the district.

NDRF teams are right now in the field rescuing thousands of stranded persons in various localities. A team of 120 Army men are also on the job and they have divided into two teams, each consisting of 60 personnel, for the operations in worst affected areas. Defence forces involved in the rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected districts of the state have rescued over 21,000 stranded persons so far.

Locals were all praise for the service rendered by personnel of fire and rescue services, elec¬tricity board and police departments.

Further, Chief minister J Jayalalithaa has deputed two ministers, MC Sampath and Udhayakumar, from the state, and senior IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi to monitor the relief and rescue operations in the district.

Civic bodies were also initiating several measures and working hard to ensure a check on any outbreak of epidemic in the district.

Unofficial reports said that so far 50 have lost their lives in the district in rain-related incidents. Meanwhile, relief and rescue materials are coming to the district from all parts of the state to help the stranded residents. All these are being diverted to various places from the district headquarters with the help of officials.