FLOOD-HIT: A farmer examines the loss at Thirukadaiyur in Nagapattinam. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

NAGAPATTINAM: There was a huge sigh of relief as the cyclonic storm weakened and crossed the Vedaranyam coast in Nagapattinam district on Saturday afternoon without causing damage to life or property.

The wind speed was 30-45 km per hour when the storm crossed the coast, bringing moderate rain in the coastal areas.

There were no reports of heavy wind in Nagapattinam or other parts of the district except in Velankanni, where it was of moderate intensity.

No heavy rain was reported in Nagapattinam district in the last 24 hours ended 8.30 a.m. on Saturday.

J.Radhakrishnan, Nagapattinam Collector, along with C.V.Sankar, Officer on Special Duty (Relief and Rehabilitation), rushed to Vedaranyam and Point Calimere on Saturday morning to take all precautionary measures for the safety of the people.

Mr. Radhakrishnan told The Hindu that the district administration evacuated people from tsunami temporary shelters, vulnerable areas and coastal villages in the last two days.

More than 30,000 people were sheltered in 51 centres and 28 cyclone relief centres and provided food.

He said that all the people started returning to their homes and tsunami temporary shelters in Tharangampadi, Porayar, Nagore, Nagapattinam, Velankanni and Vedaranyam.

The cyclone did not cause any damage to life or property anywhere in the district.

K.A.Abdul Rahuff, Superintendent of Police, Nagapattinam, said 13 special teams were posted in the coastal areas to assist and help the people.

Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam district recorded the maximum rain of 70 mm in the last 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, while Manalmedu reported 52 mm.

Minister monitors relief

Pollachi V.Jayaraman, Minister for Food and Cooperation, deputed by the Chief Minister, to Nagapattinam district, now in Mayiladuturai, is monitoring relief and rehabilitation work.

The Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, battered by three spells of heavy rain in October, November and first week of December, faced the fourth spell due to `Fanoos.'

A blow to farmers

Farmers said the rain was yet another blow to them and wondered how long it would take to drain. More important, will there be another "system?" Normality was just returning to the delta areas.

The rain in the past 24 hours inundated paddy fields, vulnerable areas and damaged roads. Samba crops, partly damaged in the previous rain, and which the farmers hoped to revive were again inundated.

According to P.Ekambaram, Tiruvarur Collector, crops, which showed signs of recovery, "collapsed" in the rain in Thiruthuraipoondi and Mannargudi.

"We hoped to save them. But now it may not be possible," he said.

The same was the case in Thanjavur district. Paddy crop on 34,000 hectares was partly damaged.

According to M.Jothi, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur district, samba crop on 34,171 hectares was fully damaged in the district in the previous rain.

In areas like Orathanadu, where early samba was raised, rain affected the crop that came for harvest.

Thanjavur town recorded the maximum of 70 mm of rain for the 24 hours ended 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by Ayyampettai (64), and Orathanadu (53).

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