Cyclone damage minimal because of Tamil Nadu government’s efforts, says Central team
The Hindu
Central team visits Chennai to assess cyclone damage; minimal damage due to State govt's efforts. Team led by Kunal Satyarthi, advisor (policy & plan), NDMA. Team inquires about availability of culverts & drainage systems. Team to decide recommendations to Centre after understanding situation. Unusual rainfall & high tide led to damage. Govt had early warning system in place. Officials praised for helping flood-affected people.
A Central team that visited Chennai on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Michaung said the damage to lives, livelihoods, cattle and infrastructure was minimal because of the State government’s efforts.
“The airport reopened fast. Power and mobile connections were restored quickly. Hospitals and schools started functioning. There are problems for the citizens. We [will] try to figure out the extent of the damage and loss, and how the Central government can help in the recovery process,” said Kunal Satyarthi, advisor (policy and plan), National Disaster Management Authority, who is leading the six-member team.
The State government officials explained the situation to the Central team with photographs and maps. Mr. Satyarthi also inquired about the availability of culverts that would drain the water.
“I am nobody to certify the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts. I have come here based on a request by the State government to the Centre. The Home Minister makes sure we reach the place when there is a problem, not later,” he said, after visiting flood-affected places in Chennai and neighbouring areas.
When asked whether he had any suggestions for the State government, he said the team had started inspecting the damage and losses, and was trying to understand the situation. “Then, we will decide the recommendations we could make to the Centre,” he said.
Mr. Satyarthi said it was an unusual situation of heavy rainfall, and also a situation where a cyclone was moving parallel to the coast.
“The amount of rainfall in a piece of land that is 5,000 sq. km was enormous. This was a natural phenomenon that occurred that night. The sea was on high tide, and the water discharge system could not take that much water into the sea. Unfortunately, the people of Chennai had to suffer. We are looking at what that particular phenomenon was that led to the damage,” he said.
Ambassador of Finland to India Kimmo Lähdevirta on Tuesday said Finnish companies “face issues” in Tamil Nadu due to regulations that prevent their participation in tendering processes. Interacting with senior journalists of The Hindu at its head office in Chennai, he said certain regulations imposed by the State government were limiting.