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The aftermath of Cyclone Fengal has left Puducherry and Karaikal reeling, prompting the territorial government to request a substantial financial aid package from the central government. Chief Minister N Rangasamy has formally appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for ₹600 crore in relief and rehabilitation funds. This substantial sum reflects the wide-ranging and devastating impact of the cyclone and the ensuing torrential rainfall. The request underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention to address the immediate needs of the affected population.
The severity of the damage is starkly evident in the figures presented in the Chief Minister's appeal. The preliminary assessment pegs the total cost of damage at ₹614.88 crore, a figure that is likely to rise as a more comprehensive evaluation is undertaken. The destruction extends across multiple sectors: infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods, and housing. The extensive damage to roads, a crucial component of connectivity and economic activity, demands significant resources for repair and reconstruction. The request for ₹427 crore specifically for road repairs highlights the scale of this particular challenge, reflecting the need for widespread rehabilitation across urban and rural areas.
Beyond the infrastructure damage, Cyclone Fengal has dealt a crippling blow to the livelihoods of numerous residents. The Chief Minister’s statement highlighting the loss of livelihoods for most of the working population underscores the economic crisis unfolding. The government's announced aid of ₹5,000 per ration cardholder, requiring ₹177 crore, provides a measure of immediate relief, but it is only a temporary bandage on a much deeper wound. The widespread inundation of homes, with 1.5 lakh houses affected, and the substantial damage to agricultural land (9,981.72 hectares) speaks volumes about the extent of the calamity. The loss of livestock – six milch animals, thirty calves, ten sheep/goats, and 5,000 poultry – further compounds the economic hardship faced by many families.
The destruction extends to crucial infrastructure beyond roads. The damage to electrical infrastructure, including the uprooting of 500 trees, 1,596 electric poles, and the damage to 53 energy-efficient transformers, caused significant disruption to daily life and hampered relief efforts. The damage to 52 school and college buildings represents a major disruption to education and necessitates urgent repairs to ensure the continuity of learning for students. The impact on the fishing community is particularly noteworthy, with 14,315 fishermen losing their livelihoods and 976 boats damaged, significantly impacting their income and food security.
The government's emphasis on the need for immediate desilting of drainage canals highlights the ongoing threat of further damage from waterlogging. The prolonged heavy rainfall, exceeding the annual average by a significant margin (168.88cm compared to 138.9cm), has saturated the ground and left the region vulnerable to further flooding. This preventative measure is essential to mitigate the risk of further damage and suffering. The fact that four lives were tragically lost in rain-related incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly power of these natural disasters.
The Chief Minister's letter emphasizes the tentative nature of the current damage assessment, signaling that the final cost could be substantially higher once a full-scale evaluation is completed. This points to the need for ongoing support from the central government, extending beyond the initial ₹600 crore request. The request also underscores the need for a speedy assessment team from the central government to expedite the relief process and ensure that aid reaches those most in need as efficiently and effectively as possible. The long-term recovery will require a coordinated effort from both the central and territorial governments to rebuild infrastructure, revive the economy, and support the affected communities.
Source: Cyclone Fengal relief work: Puducherry seeks Rs 600crore aid from Centre