Things are looking up in Chennai, as the waters have started to recede and people are making an effort to return to their normal lives. At the last count by police, the state-wide casualty stood at 427, including 134 in Chennai, but the toll is likely to be higher. Relief efforts by Central and state government agencies are still on as lakhs of people face acute shortage of essentials including water, power, milk and food items.
However, gaps have emerged in the relief operations in certain areas, as volunteers are clueless about whom to give and where, in spite of sufficient availability.
Trouble in Flood Relief Operations
The Madras High Court ordered the issue of notice to Revenue Secretary, Commissioner Chennai Corporation, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Metropolitan Water Supply, CMD of Avin Milk Producers Society on a petition seeking protection for the organisations and workers carrying flood relief materials.
Justice MM Sundresh also the directed Advocate General to appear and explain the steps taken with regard to the allegations that relief workers carrying materials for stranded victims of floods were being harassed.
A petition was filed by advocate AP Suryaprakasam who said he had first hand experience of being accosted by locals while distributing food to the flood-affected.
Donations Pour In
But relief continues to pour in as top officials from various corporate houses and banks including TVS Motors, India Cements, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and State Bank of India contributed nearly Rs 22 crore towards flood-relief activities in the state, the Tamil Nadu government said.
India Cements’ N Srinvasan and HMIL MD YK Koo gave Rs 2 crore each while SBI and City Union Bank contributed Rs 1 crore each, the government said.
We are committed to helping with the large challenge of rebuilding the city and addressing the health, safety and housing needs of the residents of Chennai. We encourage the larger Chennai business ecosystem to join us in the effort to quickly recover from this disaster.Gordon Coburn, President, Cognizant
Ford Resumes Operations
US car maker Ford today said it has resumed operations at its Maraimalai Nagar engine assembly facility near Chennai, which was suspended due to heavy rains. However, the company said the vehicle assembly operations “will remain closed until its team completes the impact assessment of facilities and those of suppliers”.
“Our focus remains on safety of our employees and we will carefully assess the situation to ensure the safe resumption of operations,” it said in a statement.
(With input from wires.)
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