The public, institutions and non-governmental organisations swung into action, chipping in with relief work from Wednesday, following incessant rains which have lashed Puducherry and surrounding regions in the last few days.
Relief materials
NGOs Trust for Youth and Leadership (TYCL) and Mughil collected relief material to be given to the Narikuravar community in and around Puducherry, and others affected by the rains.
A group of 80 Narikuravars were first shifted to a government school in Kottakarai near Auroville where they were provided food and shelter, said Siva Mathiyazhagan, co-founder, TYCL.
They were later moved to a community hall in Achirampattu village near Koot Road on Wednesday, he said. Narikuravars living in and around Lawspet were provided milk, bread and cooked food, as they were running out of supplies.
Food packets distributed
The NGOs also distributed 1000 food packets and fire wood to residents of Palli Thennal in Villupuram, after the village was water-logged, on Thursday. Essential items were provided in the water-logged Maduvupet, near Krishna Nagar.
The NGOs are also beginning work in Cuddalore district, and a group of 25 doctors will travel with them on Friday.
“Our requirements include Floor mats, bed sheets, rice, milk, bread, biscuits, emergency lights, water purifier packets, sanitary napkins, candles and matchboxes.
People can drop things off at our office at Number 17, Pookara Street, Muthialpet, by 1 p.m. on Friday (0413-2224243/ 08056463930),” said Mr. Mathiyazhagan. Those in the town area can drop off materials at No.6, Aurobindo Street, between 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Materials for flood affected
Another NGO, Deshna Foundation, is collecting material for those affected by the rain in areas including Rediarpalayam, said Amaladevi Vaithianathan who runs the organisation, which operates out of Number 8, first floor, 2nd cross, Surya Gandhi Nagar, Muthialpet (88708 26001 / 99523 43625)
Residents pitch in
Some individuals tried to help out in as many ways as they could.
Swaminathan, a resident of Saradambal Nagar, and his family realised that patients and caretakers of the Rajiv Gandhi Government Women and Children Hospital, Ellaipillaichavady, would need lunch on Wednesday, given the heavy rains.
So they cooked sambar rice, and carried water bottles and biscuits and distributed them to around 60 people, mostly poor patients and their caretakers, said his daughter-in-law Ruckmani Narayanan.
Hotel Aksharadha in Villianur has announced that it can accommodate 1000 persons in its Annai Thirumana Mandapam, Villianur, where they will be providing food from Thursday.
The organisers can be reached at 9445445608, and have also asked for support from sponsors and volunteers.
Free medical services
The Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute will be offering free medical services for those affected by flooding at its Pillayarkuppam hospital where they have set up a shelter and its City Centre near Balaji theatre (95855 09995, 98421 11361, 95666 64685 and Toll free 1800 425 1008).
Caritas India and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has begun distribution of relief materials in Puducherry, and will be extending its work to Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thiruvalluvar, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts, said Father Albert Thambidurai. Materials such as dry ration and bed sheets can be dropped off at the Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service Society office located at 81, Laporte Street, and SAMSS, Vikravandi, Villupuram District (9994372059).
NGOs distributed food packets and fire wood to residents of Palli Thennal, Villupuram
