Deccan Chronicle 08.11.2009

Rain keeps civic officials on toes

Chennai, Nov. 7: Fearing that the situation may go out of control, Chennai corporation commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni on Saturday evening conducted an urgent meeting at Ripon Buildings and directed the civic officials to keep about 75 boats ready to ferry people and gear up for mass evacuation, if required. These boats will be positioned in all low-lying areas in the city by Saturday night, Mr Lakhoni told Deccan Chronicle.

The regional meteorological department has forecast heavy rains for Chennai till Sunday evening.

So, corporation officials have been directed to be on their toes and get maximum help from other government departments like fire service and police.

“If required, the corporation would also approach the special disaster force based in Arakkonam as they may help evacuate people in large numbers. Till Saturday, there is no evacuation and the situation is still under control.” Noon meal centres have so far distributed 50,000 food packets, he said.

The public need not panic and adequate steps have been taken to handle the monsoon and motorists should avoid taking cover under avenue trees when the soil is wet. About 15 trees were uprooted in the past four days and the corporation has started removing trees that pose danger to the public, Mr Lakhoni said.

Of the 10 corporation zones, three have so far reported inundation and corporation schools are ready to accommodate people rescued from the low-lying areas. Besides, high-power motor pumps are draining stormwater round the clock, the commissioner added.

Following the high-level meeting, the corporation also appointed nodal officers for all its 10 zones and circulated a monsoon field guide for department heads, Ripon Buildings sources said.

So far, more than 200 people have moved out of their thatched tenements in Vysarpadi Erikarai and are accommodated in the nearby corporation school. The corporation also plans a major drive to distribute chlorine tablets on Sunday in the flood-hit areas, the sources added.

Corporation helpline 1913 continued to receive calls and was busy the whole day. Till Saturday evening, the helpline received more than 100 calls and most of them were related to water-logging.