Post Gaja, 121 multi-purpose evacuation centres built: Minister

Responding to a query, Udhayakumar said, “The multi-purpose evacuation centres can be used as schools in normal days and during emergency they can be used as shelters to protect people. So far, 121 such multi-purpose evacuation centres have been constructed in the state at the total cost of Rs 331.03 crore.”

Earlier, DMK MLA U Mathivanan of Kilvelur constituency in Nagapattinam district said that after

Cyclone Gaja many lost their homes and still have not built any permanent structures. In the meantime, the next north east monsoon season is going to arrive and so government should complete the construction of houses which were already promised. 

Udhayakumar replied that the people can be made to stay in these multi-purpose evacuation centres during emergency times. Government has announced 2 lakh houses and the construction process is going on, he added. He also said that the state is keen on reducing the impact of cyclones and has planned to undertake several preventive measures.

“The state has decided to procure modern equipment such as robotic excavators, vegetation de-clogger, super suckers in order to build the capacity of various agencies involved in search andrescue operations,” he said.

The Minister also announced that the Indian Navy is planning to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) on cyclone and urban flood jointly with Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) in Chennai. The exercise will be conducted for three days and will be attended by foreign observers. The state and district authorities will participate in the exercise by activating the state and district emergency operation centers and mobilising the state’s assets, said the Minister.