Rain-hit areas being cleared in Puducherry: Minister

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry administration is taking all steps to rectify rain damage on a war-footing, PWD Minister A Namasivayam said here on Monday.

Talking to mediapersons, Namasivayam said two months back Chief Minister V Narayanasamy had convened a meeting on how to tackle the monsoon, in which officials were advised to clear water-logging in low-lying areas.

Accordingly, works were going on, he further said, adding that Rainbow Nagar,

Indira Gandhi Square and Marappalm were the most water-logged areas here.

Several advices were placed before the government to prevent water-logging, he stated, adding that works to prevent water-logging on a permanent basis would begin here by the end of January next year. Several departments, including PWD, LAD, Revenue were being integrated for the purpose. Namasivayam further stated that the District Collector was advised to inspect the damaged houses and Revenue Minister Shajahan would chair a meeting later in the day to assess the situation.

He said some people who constructed houses encroaching on the drainage had obtained a stay in the court for their eviction and the administration will take steps to get the stay vacated, he asserted.

He added that all the water sources here were fast filling up due to the heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, the people had a sigh of relief as the rain stopped since this morning paving the way for bright sunshine. However, more rain was predicted for the next two more days.