Debris of uprooted trees removed in Tiruvarur, several drains cleared

The debris of uprooted trees, which hindered vehicular traffic, was immediately removed by the rescue teams deployed in Tiruvarur district on Saturday.

The flood control room received SOS calls right from Saturday early morning stating that the carriageways were blocked by debris of fallen trees at different parts of the district and the flow of rainwater through the drains had also been obstructed due to wild growth of vegetation.

Immediately, the rescue teams designated for those zones were alerted and they rushed to the spot and cleared the obstruction ensuring unhindered flow of vehicular traffic and rainwater through the waterways.

Nallamangudi, Nerijakudi, and Nemmeli were some of the places where trees had been uprooted by gusty wind and incessant showers since Friday evening. Earthmovers were pressed into service to remove the debris blocking the flow of rainwater through Sattirutti drain near Mannargudi, Kadunguruttiyar near Thirukollikadu, and Vanjiyar river near Thirumeichur.

Around 50 persons affected in the incessant rain in Idumbavanam are in Muthupettai block were accommodated at the rescue shelter on Saturday morning and were provided medical assistance in addition to food, according to official sources.

Meanwhile, the disaster rescue teams of the Tamizhaga Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam had announced their contact numbers on social media platforms assuring 24-hour response to the SOS calls from the affected people in Muthupettai, Nannilam, Pothakkudi and Tiruvarur town areas.

Fishermen’s plea

Fishermen community in the coastal areas of Thanjavur district have sought monsoon relief assistance in the form of both cash and kind from the State as they were livelihood had been affected with inclement weather making it impossible for them to venture into the sea for fishing in the past three weeks.

Stating that over 10,000 fishermen hailing from around 30 fishermen hamlets such as Kollukadu, Chinnamanai, Sarabendrarajapuram, Pillaiyar Thidal, Sethubhavachatram and others, solely depend on fishing, they said these families were in financial distress. Hence, they urged the State government to declare monsoon relief assistance to fishermen families and urged the government to make a permanent relief to be extended during monsoon periods during which they were advised and prevented from venturing into the sea.