Control rooms become operational, relief shelters opened to provide assistance to rain-affected people in Puducherry

After Puducherry started receiving good amount of rainfall from Saturday afternoon, the District Administration activated the State and District Emergency Operation Centres, control rooms in relevant departments and opened 212 relief shelters for temporary rehabilitation of rain-affected families.

Due to the impact of advancing Cyclone Ditwah, the territory received continuous rain from Saturday afternoon. According to an official with Revenue Department, Puducherry has received around 4.6 cm of rainfall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday.

“The two National Disaster Response Force teams were on alert to tackle emergencies, including evacuation of people from low-lying areas. All departments have been asked to monitor the ground situation. Puducherry is expected to receive considerable rain on Saturday night,” District Collector A. Kulothungan told The Hindu.

The Collector said around 70 motor pump sets were placed in low-lying areas to drain out water. Riverbanks and stormwater channels have been strengthened using sandbags. Around 6,500 sandbags have already been stacked on the banks of waterbodies, and another 20,000 sandbags kept ready for use. All tourism-related activities have been suspended till Sunday evening, he said.

Due to prevailing weather conditions, IndiGo has suspended it’s service on Sunday from Puducherry Airport.