Adequate compensation will be offered to farmers, assures Panneerselvam

Speaking to reporters, Panneerselvam said: “Restoration works are being undertaken on a war footing to restore normalcy. Moreover, a team of officials are ascertaining damages caused to agriculture and horticulture crops. Adequate compensation will be provided to those affected.”

Regional Monitoring Officer and Higher Education Secretary Mangat Ram Sharma, Dindigul Collector T G Vinay, Inspector General of Police (South Zone) K P Shanmuga Rajeswaran, Deputy Inspector General (Dindigul Range) K Joshi Nirmal Kumar and Superintendent of Police R Sakthivel were present during the inspection.

Dindigul district received a considerable amount of rain, which was accompanied by heavy wind, causing damage to 1,513 electric poles, said Collector T G Vinay.

“While power supply has been restored in urban areas, restoration works at rural places are under way in a phased manner. Around 700 houses in low-lying areas were damaged in the wake of heavy downpour. However, the officials are enumerating the exact number of houses damaged,” he said.

“Uprooted trees on the Kodaikanal-Palani ghat road were cleared at 4 am on Saturday, following which it was opened to vehicular traffic,” the Collector said, adding that around 300 personnel from various government departments are involved in restoration efforts with the aid of 20 earthmovers.

Over hundred trees along the Batlagundu and Kodaikanal ghat road were uprooted. The popular tourist destination of Kodaikanal received rain measuring 138.50 mm during a span of three hours.

Rain throughout Friday resulted in water levels increasing considerably in reservoirs close to Thirumalai Hills and Lower Palani such as Mavur and Kombayar dams. Water level in Athur dam, which was maintained at nine feet, rose to 16 feet within a single day on Friday.

200 houses damaged inSivaganga: Collector

According to Sivaganga Collector J Jayakanthan, around 300 out of the total 875 electric poles damaged by the cyclone were restored on Saturday. He said the remaining poles would be restored soon. Power supply was disrupted at 51 locations, but water was being supplied through tanker lorries and with the aid of gensets. Around 200 houses were damaged, while a detailed enumeration is still on.

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh under the State Disaster Relief Fund was provided to the families of two victims, who died in the district, on Saturday. A compensation of Rs 30,000 each to two cow owners and Rs 3,000 each to six goat owners, who lost their animals, was provided.

Water level in Sathayar dam at 25 years high

The incessant rains in several parts of Madurai district since Thursday night left over 50 huts damaged. Sugarcane and banana crop fields suffered damage in Melur and Kottampatti with officials taking stock of the situation, Collector S Natarajan said on Saturday. Also, water level in Sathayar dam near Vadipatti, having a storage capacity of 27 feet, rose to 24 feet. Officials said this is the highest level recorded since 1993.