Relief steps on war footing in rain-hit Madurai, says minister

Madurai: The district administration and city corporation initiated relief measures to aid flood-affected people, remove stagnant water and prevent further flooding following intense rain in Madurai on Friday which flooded several areas. Around 70 people were relocated to two temporary relief camps, and food provided to approximately 1,000 people.On Saturday morning, commercial taxes minister P Moorthy and IT minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, along with district collector M S Sangeetha and corporation commissioner S Dinesh Kumar, inspected the water flow at Alwarpuram near the Vaigai river bank. "Relief work is being undertaken on a war footing. The damage due to rain itself is minimal in Madurai. A few areas are flooded due to the excess water flowing in channels from rain in the catchment areas," said Moorthy. Steps to address the flooding and drain the water are being taken, he said, adding that it may take around three days for the water to drain. The minister said corporation workers are also using motors to pump out water in heavily waterlogged areas. Dinesh kumar said that around 18 hotspots in the city were identified as waterlogged, and water was drained in around nine of them by morning.Chief minister M K Stalin said in Chennai that local ministers are closely monitoring the rain-affected areas. "Only in eight areas has water entered people's houses. All precautionary measures as well as rescue and relief measures are being taken as and when required," he said. Around 20 medical camps were held. Workers from nearby municipalities have also been mobilised to aid in removing stagnant water, he added. On Saturday evening, municipal administration minister K N Nehru, along with other ministers and officials, inspected Alwarpuram, Sellur, Goripalayam B B Road and Pandalkudi Channel. "The amount of rain in a short time was unexpected, but the district administration took necessary steps to minimise damage. The collector has been asked to assess the needs and submit it, and accordingly, funds will be allotted. Work for desilting channels has been undertaken in all districts, including Madurai, to prevent flooding during rain," said Nehru.