Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inspects the situation as Cyclone Fengal intensifies in the state at Disaster Management Control Room, in Chennai on November 30, 2024.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Expressing satisfaction over the precautionary and relief measures being taken by various government agencies, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (December 1, 2024) said people were satisfied and those in Chennai were relieved.
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and three Ministers are coordinating relief efforts in Villupuram district, which received heavy rains, he said further.
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Mr. Stalin visited various rain-affected areas in Chennai and in his Kolathur Assembly constituency, accompanied by Ministers K.N. Nehru, P.K. Sekarbabu; Chennai Mayor R. Priya and senior officials on Sunday. He also briefed the media about the relief measures being taken over the impact of cyclone ‘Fengal’ induced rains in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
When asked whether he was satisfied with the government agencies and about the feedback he has received from the people, Mr. Stalin said: “People are satisfied. I am not saying only because it is my constituency. Be it anywhere in Tamil Nadu, or in Chennai, the places that are usually stagnated, are not stagnating now.”
The CM further said: “When it is raining, it may stagnate in a few places. Once rains stop, it may take 10-15 minutes for water to clear out.” When asked to whether the State capital was in distress or had escaped, Mr. Stalin emphasised: “It was neither in distress nor escaped but the State capital is relieved.”
When referred to a section of the feedback that there was no stagnation in Kolathur for the first time, Mr. Stalin said: “It is because we are there for them for everything. Be it rains or floods, we are there with them. Not just me but all the elected representatives are attending to their needs. If there are any issues, they flag them to me and we get them resolved.”
To a query on whether the weather advisory from the Meteorological Department was accurate, Mr. Stalin said: “It could be predicted only to some extent but not accurately.” Underlining the mercurial nature of weather, Mr. Stalin said: “So, we are taking precautionary measures only based on weather advisories. So, we cannot say they [weather advisories] are wrong.”
Replying to a query on the need for a permanent solution to issues cropping up during cyclone and heavy rains, Mr. Stalin said: “The permanent solution has come to an extent. But, when there are heavy rains, we undertake steps on a war footing”.
When pointed to heavy rains received in various places in Villupuram district, Mr. Stalin said: “We did not expect. Heavy rains were received in n Villupuram, Tindivanam, Mailam, Marakkanam and nearby areas. So, the Deputy Chief Minister is on his way there now.” Ministers K. Ponmudy, V. Senthilbalaji and S.S. Sivasankar have also been deputed to Villupuram district.
To a query on criticism by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Mr. Stalin said: “His only job is to keep criticizing. We are not bothered by them. I have said this earlier but we are just doing our job. We are working not only for those who voted for us but also for those who did not vote for us.”
Published – December 01, 2024 02:13 pm IST
