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Chennai, October 18 (IANS) Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam criticized the DMK government, which he described as a complete failure in implementing preventive measures ahead of the northeast monsoon, which has caused severe flooding and crop damage in Theni district.
Panneerselvam said in a statement that ensuring public safety during the monsoon season, providing relief to the affected people and immediately distributing compensation for losses is one of the primary responsibilities of the government.
“While everyone knows that the northeast monsoon is a major annual event in Tamil Nadu, the government’s lack of preparedness has caused widespread hardship for the people of Theni,” he said.
The former chief minister said the monsoon period from October 15 to December 31 usually brings multiple phases of heavy rain, and recent forecasts had already issued a yellow alert for Theni.
“Despite these clear warnings, the government did not take action,” he said.
According to his statement, Theni district received the heaviest rainfall in 32 years on Friday. Areas like Cumbum, Gudalur, Uthampalayam, Chinnamanur, Uppukottai and Kullapagoundanapatti are at risk of floods.
Paddy fields ready for harvest in the Cumbum valley were inundated, resulting in massive crop losses.
Panneerselvam said the bridge on Cumbum-Karuvipatti road has been damaged due to rising water level in Mullaperiyar dam, while residential areas in Cumbum Mettu Colony have been submerged due to overflow of 18th canal and Ekluth stream.
Many residents were trapped inside their homes, while hundreds of acres of farmland in Gombai and Pannapuram areas were submerged in water.
He said several incidents of damage to infrastructure were reported – a wall of a private school collapsed in Gudalur, power generation was stopped at Sirupunal hydro station after flood waters entered and thousands of poultry and cattle were killed.
“Despite this widespread devastation, the government has failed to provide appropriate relief measures,” he said, urging the Chief Minister to personally intervene.
He appealed for immediate deployment of officials in flood-affected areas and called for providing adequate compensation to farmers, poultry owners and cattle rearers on war footing.
–IANS
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