The Hindu 24.11.2010
Corporation gearing up to face flood impact
| Eight schools being kept ready to accommodate victims |
MADURAI: With the Vaigai river in spate and water stagnation reported in low-lying areas, the Corporation has made elaborate arrangements to rehabilitate those who may get affected by the flood.
The local body has kept ready eight Corporation schools on either side of the Vaigai river to accommodate flood-affected people, Corporation Commissioner S. Sebastine said.
Protected drinking water, sanitation and food facilities would be arranged at the schools.
Corporation staff had been making announcements through public address system, cautioning people living along the banks of the Vaigai to move to places of safety. Low-lying areas, especially in Ellis Nagar, Muthupatti and Mehaboobpalayam, had been inundated. Efforts had been taken to drain water using earth-movers.
“However, the water is draining very slowly as the flow of water in the Vaigai is to its brim,” Mr. Sebastine said.
Chlorination of drinking water was being done. Medical teams had been formed to attend to the needy. Adequate medicines had been stocked at all the Corporation hospitals.
He asked the people to drink boiled water and protect themselves from the spread of water-borne diseases.
Special teams comprising men, machine and vehicles had been kept ready to attend to emergency calls as more water was expected in the river through the night, he said.
Control room
The Madurai Corporation has installed a round-the-clock control room to reach out to people in need of help. Residents can dial 0452 2538080 or 2530521 to report water logging, tree fall or for any assistance during rains and floods.
