Battle Ground Cyclone Gaja

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhayakumar and Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar stayed overnight at the disaster control room in Chennai. The ministers took turns and gave live interviews to the media, sharing the latest inputs released by the weather department till 2 am. Around 6 am, Vijaya Baskar surprised everyone in the room, most of whom were tired after a long night, by relaying an audio message to the people in his native Pudukkottai district assuring that relief materials and assistance will reach them shortly. The minister also said that he was on his way there to meet the affected people. Subsequently, the minister travelled by car to the district. By noon, Vijaya Baskar reviewed the medical camp arrangements. A detailed press release was released by his office around 5 pm.

M Manikandan, holding the IT portfolio and based in Ramanathapuram, was the first minister to kick start the distribution of freebies. Although the district did not face major damage when compared to other districts, about 500 families were evacuated. After enquiring about the situation in Pamban and Dhanuskodi, Manikandan made sure the relief materials comprising 10 kg rice, clothes and a mat was distributed. By evening, the relief materials carrying an ‘Amma’ sticker was distributed to beneficiaries. The stickers, which created a controversy during the 2015 Chennai flood relief efforts, also carried the picture of CM Palaniswami.

After coming to know that his native Nagapattinam district will be badly hit, Handloom and Textiles Minister O S Manian, known for his controversial speeches, said Nagapattinam has seen several cyclones in the past and would overcome the present difficulty. “Take precautions, move your cattle to safety and gear up for relief works in the morning”, was his last instructions to people and officials ahead of Gaja’s landfall. Manian reached a devastated Vedaranyam early on Friday and walked to the  areas where transport was completely cut off. Clad in a raincoat, the minister walked till noon covering a maximum distance and chose not to have any officials around him.

The ruling AIADMK using its good rapport with the Central Government should ensure all those affected by Gaja are provided compensation for the loss they have suffered, AMMK Deputy General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran said on Friday. Speaking at Gudiyattam in Vellore district, Dhinakaran called on the State Government to see that the Centre declares the cyclone related damage as a national disaster and sanctions the necessary funds to overcome it. Accepting that the government had taken enough measures to minimise human damage, he said it should continue to concentrate on relief efforts without resting on its laurels. Asked when the AMMK was planning to start work on setting up booth committees for the vacant assembly constituencies, considering both the AIADMK and DMK having started their work in this regard, Dhinakaran said: “We have 90 days to appeal against the HC verdict. Hence any election in the 18 seats can be held only after that.”