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Storm wrecks houses, claims four lives

Rajesh Nair

Banana, sugarcane and paddy crops damaged extensively

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

STORM, AFTERMATH: People clearing fallen trees from the Vadhanur-P. S Palayam Road on Tuesday after a strong wind blew across Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: A severe storm, accompanied by rain, claimed four lives and left a trail of destruction, wrecking about 200 houses and uprooting several trees in Manadipet area, nearly 20 km from here, on late Monday evening.

The victims, including an elderly woman, were inside an arrack shop when the roof collapsed on them in the impact of the storm, police said. According to police, several people sustained injuries, and at least four of them with multiple fractures. While Vadhanur and P. S Palayam in Manadipet Commune limits bore the brunt, from where the casualties were reported, the storm had also hit several other parts of the territory including Ariankuppam, Kalapet and the town. Several trees were uprooted and 20 houses were damaged in these areas.

Road link cut

In Vadhanur and P. S Palayam, crops of banana, sugarcane and paddy were damaged extensively. The road link from Vadhanur to P.S Palayam was cut till early morning on Tuesday, as several trees fell on the road.

Power supply in several parts of Vadhanur and P. S Palayam was disrupted throughout the night. By late Tuesday evening, supply was restored in a few villages. Residents said that they ran out of their houses, majority of them thatched, to open places as the storm zoomed in. Before it hit, there was light shower and lightening, they noted.

After touring the affected villages, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy announced a solatium of Rs.50,000 for the next of kin of deceased, Rs.5,000 to the injured and Rs.6,000 each to the families whose houses were damaged.

He said initial estimates show that about 200 houses were damaged.

He also directed the Agriculture Department to conduct a survey to assess the crop damage.

A package to compensate the crop damage would be announced later, he noted.

According to official sources, sugarcane crop on 1,000 acres had been lost in both the panchayats. The sources also said that 80 per cent of the yield would also be lost.

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