CUDDALORE:
On the direction of the State government, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, visited flood-affected areas in Cuddalore district on Sunday.
Accompanied by Collector P. Seetharaman and District Revenue Officer S. Natrajan, he went to places such as B. Mutlur, Sivayam, Poolamedu, Nandimangalam, Meyyathur, Veeranatham, Thirunaraiyur, Lalpet, Marudhur and Kalgunam. He also inspected storage level in the Veeranam tank and community kitchens set up many places. Later, he told presspersons that according to the account given by the district administration, as many as 145 villages in the district were surrounded by water.
Vast stretches of farmlands, particularly paddy fields, remained submerged. Several huts and roads had been damaged. Residents told Mr. Bedi that they were facing the flood problem year after year. Mr. Bedi said that after assessing the damage on Monday, he would submit a report to the Chief Secretary on Tuesday. As former Collector of the district, he was familiar with the terrain. During his interaction with people, he heard suggestions on permanent measures, which could be taken to tackle floods. He said that he would incorporate all that in his report.
