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The aftermath of the Gaja cyclone is visible in Tamil Nadu. Photo: Reuters
Chennai: At least 45 people have been killed and 2.5 lakhs have been transferred to relief camps since Hurricane Gaja hit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Friday, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami announced on Sunday. leaders of all political parties to take part in relief operations. . "In the villages, many trees and standing crops have been damaged, affecting the livelihoods of farmers. The extent of the damage is being evaluated. Up to now, 45 people have lost their lives because of the cyclone, "said the chief minister.
A total of 249,083 people were transferred to 493 relief camps, the state government said. More than 1.17 lakh houses, including thatched huts and tile-roofed houses, were partially or totally damaged.
Hurricane Gaja made landfall in the early hours of Friday with winds reaching 120 km / h, leaving a trail of destruction in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Dindigul, Tiruchipalli, Karour, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, and Kariakal Districts. Pondicherry.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced relief of 10 million kroner for the families of those killed in Hurricane Gaja, 1 million lakh for the seriously wounded and 25,000 rupees for the wounded.
The damage
Hurricane Gaja has rendered inaccessible isolated areas in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukottai districts, making relief operations difficult in these areas. These areas of the delta have been without electricity since Thursday. On Sunday, Palaniwami tasked additional officials to speed up relief operations in these areas.
However, the government of Tamil Nadu has not yet determined the impact of Hurricane Gaja on agriculture in that state. Large areas of coconut plantations and bananas, paddy and other growing crops are flooded or washed away. Palaniswami Sunday asked officials in the departments of income and agriculture to estimate the damage to crops.
A total of 1,70,454 trees and 39,938 utility poles were uprooted. 3559 km of transmission lines and 347 electrical transformers were damaged in the cyclone. A total of 12,532 officials from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Council are working in the field to restore electricity in the affected areas.
More than 100 cattle and 600 goats were killed. Hundreds of carcasses of various animals and birds from the Kodiyakarai Game Reserve were washed away on Karaikal Beach. The government of Tamil Nadu will provide û 30,000 for the loss of livestock and ¥ 3,000 for each goat killed.
372 medical camps and 1,014 mobile medical units have been set up in districts affected by the cyclone, the state government said.
Political reaction
KK Stalin, opposition president Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, on Sunday explained the pace of relief operations in Tamil Nadu following Hurricane Gaja.
"I congratulated the government on preparing for the hurricane, but the relief work seems very pathetic. Why is the chief minister hesitating to go to the hurricane-affected areas? Stalin said.
"It's a natural calamity. There should be no difference, such as the opposition or the ruling party, in handling relief operations. I appeal to all to help those affected, "Palaniswamy said.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu, the prime minister said that the state government had informed the center of the damage caused by the cyclone. Palaniswami is expected to travel to Delhi next week to seek relief funds from the union government.
Palaniswami said: "From now on, officials and ministers have been invited to visit the affected areas. If necessary, we will seek the help of the Center. "At the present time, we have difficulty removing uprooted trees and replacing damaged power poles. "
