Cyclone Gaja is a major disaster
Cyclone Gaja’s economic impact in Tamil Nadu is comparable to that of the
tsunami of 2004. The devastation suffered by tens of thousands of people in
several districts of the State has been severe. Communities in the affected
areas are distraught as houses have collapsed, farms lie ruined, water sources
are contaminated and electricity supply remains disrupted. Many areas remain
inaccessible because fallen trees have blocked roads. The number of people rendered homeless is at
3.7 lakh, and houses destroyed at 3.4 lakh. The cyclone has crippled
agriculture and livelihoods, felling thousands of productive trees and killing
livestock.
Many of the farmers have invested in trees and livestock expecting
long-term returns, but have been rendered paupers overnight. The Tamil Nadu government has given the
Centre a memorandum seeking nearly ₹15,000 crore for restoration,
rehabilitation and mitigation, besides ₹1,431 crore for immediate relief work. Cyclone
Gaja has wrought terrible devastation, and the relief programme must match it
in scale.
At the time of need our goverment must come forward to help Tamilian
community. They need full support of people as well as government. We can't
stop natural calamities but could support the sufferers in every possible way.
Nobody knows what might happen the very next moment but we can prepare people
mentally to bear such losses in future. Every possible help should be
contributed by the people in the form of money, food to bring them back to
normalcy.
It is very painful to read the news on Gaja affected areas. Loss of
plants, cattles and houses pose a very big worry to the surviving villagers and
farmers. As rightly pointed out, the State has to do more to rebuild the lost
wealth. A few points to ponder over are: 1. State Agriculture department must
supply coconut plants freely to the Gaja affected farmers. 2. Farm loans in the
affected areas be completely waived by PSBs, Co-operative Banks at once and
fresh financing must be immediately extended. 3. State must doll out essentials
and groceries free at the ration shops for next 3 months. 4. Construct more
number of big size concrete buildings to serve as shelter homes during such
calamities. 5. State must at once initiate steps in building concrete houses
for the Gaja affected people as done in Tsunami rehabilitation. 6. State and
Coastal Development Authority must initiate steps to grow more number of
Palmyra trees in these coastal regions to reduce wind intensity.
Despite forewarnings, the administration was not very well prepared.
Otherwise, the loss could have been much less than the present. The
unimaginable devastation caused by the cyclone Gaja exposed threadbare the
inadequacy of the preparedness of the state government in tackling major
disasters. The state government has not learnt from experience. It does not
have the wherewithal. For getting full quantum of aid from the centre the state
government should fight tooth and nail. The state should unequivocally prove to
the centre that there is a limit in towing the latter’s line especially when
the state’s interests are in jeopardy.
Nature's fury cannot be countered; but we could be "prepared for the
worst" through scientific plans. Tamil Nadu is one state where the annual
North east Monsoon period (October-November) brings terrible weather conditions,
often (almost always) destroying many regions through heavy winds and rain
havoc. Here we may recall the washing away of the entire Pamban Bridge of
Rameshwaram, some five decades back, along with an entire Train with hundreds
of passengers in it - completely engulfed in the seas. While weather broadcasts
and predictions have improved many-fold, the on-the-ground preparedness to meet
heavy winds and torrential rains have been dismal. Huge moneys are spent on
Statues, temples, and other meaningless paraphernalia, frittering away
thousands of crores of rupees from Public moneys - but very low priority is
seen in being prepared to meet Climate challenges - both short term and long
term. There is NEED for Scientific Plans and Actions through Research &
Development. The delta districts and Nagapatnam are affected worst in Gaja
cyclone. It will take years to revive the agro assets lost which destroyed the
major resources for life. Hence the Centre must help the State with liberal
purse on Gaja cyclone and sanction the mentioned amount as flood relief.
The Relief to the people who is suffering still for normal living
conditions is to be on immediate concern for all levels. The Government along
with other political parties and other social welfare organisations should come
forward to help the people with all their efforts. The waiving of loans to
farmers should be done and there should be immediate remedial measures and
insurance sectors must come forward to look into the matter immediately.
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