Tamil Nadu Landslide: CM Stalin Expresses Grief and Offers Rs 5 Lakh Compensation
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Chennai, Dec 3 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, expressed his grief over the tragic loss of seven lives in the recent landslide in Tiruvannamalai and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died.
The unfortunate event took place on December 1 when a significant boulder and mudslide collapsed onto the residence of one Rajkumar on 11th Street in V.O.C. Nagar, Tiruvannamalai, due to heavy rainfall.
Despite the dedicated efforts of approximately 40 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the incident resulted in the loss of seven lives.
The victims have been identified as Rajkumar (36), Meena (27), R. Gowtham (9), R. Iniya (7), S. Ramya (7), M. Vinothini (14), and S. Maha (7).
Following the disaster, over 500 residents from the nearby areas were evacuated to communal shelters for their safety.
The Tiruvannamalai region comprises seven Reserved Forests (RFs), including Chippakadu, Athipakkam, Adinamalai, and Sorakolathur, covering a total area of 13,000 hectares.
The Annamalai Hills, which are part of the Adinamalai RF, extend over 900 hectares within a nine-kilometre radius and rise to 2,668 feet above sea level.
These hills are also known for hosting the annual 'Maha Deepam' lighting event at the summit.
Encroachments, mainly in the form of residential constructions, present substantial challenges for forest officials in effectively monitoring and managing the Reserved Forests.
Expert Warnings and Recommendations
Experts have cautioned that the area is vulnerable to additional landslides.
At the request of the Chief Minister, retired professors from IIT Chennai, including Mohan, Narayana Rao, and Bhoominathan, inspected the landslide sites to provide guidance on rescue operations and mitigation strategies.
The experts indicated that while light to moderate rainfall may not pose significant problems, substantial rainfall could trigger future landslides.
They advised residents contemplating construction near the hills to seek safety clearance from certified engineers prior to building.
A comprehensive report detailing the situation and preventive actions will soon be submitted to the state government, as stated by the experts.
