CHENNAI: The State Government has directed all Collectors to assess the damage due to rain in their respective districts and submit a report at the earliest. They have also been asked to provide immediate relief to the flood-affected people.

Based on their reports, a comprehensive State-wide report will be prepared. They have been asked to consult the newly elected representatives of local bodies and form committees for carrying out rain-related relief works.

A Revenue official here said on Friday that with the rain continuing, it was difficult to assess the exact damage. The rain had to subside and floodwaters recede, to get the correct picture.

He said despite widespread heavy rain in the State, many reservoirs had not reached their full level. There were no major breaches of tanks. But there were reports of standing crop being submerged and flooding of colonies in low-lying areas.

The official said the district administration was keeping round-the-clock vigil so that relief could be rushed in case of heavy floods.

He said standing samba and kuruvai crop in 61,000 hectares in the delta districts were submerged. In Nagapattinam district samba and thaladi crop in about 30,000 hectares and kuruvai paddy in another 1,200 hectares were under knee-deep water. In Tiruvarur district about 24,120 hectares of samba paddy and 5,325 hectares of kuruvai paddy were submerged. sInundation of crop was minimal in Thanjavur and Cuddalore districts. It was 735 hectares in Cuddalore district and 120 hectares in Thanjavur district. Apart from the delta districts, paddy in about 80 hectares in Tiruvallur district and pulses in 400 hectares in Tuticorin district were under water.

The delta farmers are worried over the continuous rain that has affected the standing crop and harvested paddy. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, the procurement agency for the Food Corporation of India, accepts paddy with moisture content up to 20 per cent and the farmers have not been able to sell their produce. They want the Corporation to purchase paddy with moisture content up to 25 per cent in view of the heavy rain.

A Corporation official said they had written to the FCI seeking relaxation in moisture content up to 24 per cent.

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