Lok Sabha Debates
Havoc Caused By Recent Heavy Rain In Tamil Nadu. on 24 November, 2006
an> Title: Havoc caused by recent heavy rain in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI A.V. BELLARMIN (NAGERCOIL): Madam, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak.
At the outset, I would like to state that normal life is in jeopardy due to incessant heavy rain lashing almost all the districts in Tamil Nadu. Small hamlets and villages of coastal and inland districts are inundated for days together without any sign of the logged rain water receding away. The habitants are evacuated and sheltered in schools, mandapams and at safer places. Fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea. Daily coolies are locked up in their dwellings, handicapped with the copious downpour. Thousands are yearning for food and drinking water.
Thousands of tanks and dams have touched their brim and started overflowing. The authorities in charge of water management find it difficult to find vent for the overflow as the sluices, escape water sources and excess water canals are damaged and overflowing. Thus, numerous habitants in the vicinity are inundated and waterlogged. Arable lands and paddy fields became ripened for seasonal cultivation and harvests are immersed in water causing heavy loss and damages to lands and farmers.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Please say in one line what you want from the Central Government.
SHRI A.V. BELLARMIN : Madam, this is a very important subject. The thunder and lightning have struck many places killing many people and seriously injuring many more. The worst affected are the three southern districts, namely, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari district is the worst sufferer in terms of huge loss of paddy and cash crops.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please ask in one line only what you want from the Central Government.
SHRI A.V. BELLARMIN : Banana plantations and rubber saplings were totally damaged. More than four persons were struck by lightning, one person was washed away in the floods. Roads of both N.H. and the state regular highways as also rural roads are totally damaged warranting immediate renovation. The brick kilns employing thousands of workers in the villages were heavily damaged. The workers were rendered jobless. Lakhs of bricks exposed to drying were washed away in the copious rain. The fishermen of 53 coastal villages are prevented from fishing due to heavy high tide and they are facing starvation and the inland fishermen, who live upon the sea products, are also facing problems and they become victims.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please ask in one line what you want from the Central Government. It is not the time to make a speech.
SHRI A.V. BELLARMIN : So, I urge upon the Central Government to make arrangements to reach out relief measures at a war-footing by distributing food articles and kerosene through PDS. The Government has to send doctors’ team to study and check the water-borne diseases. I also request the Government to consider sanctioning of adequate compensation for loss of lives, for the injured and providing livelihood.