Stock Futures – With no cash to stock up rations, islanders stare at bleak future- The New Indian Express

Express Information Service

CHENNAI: In 2015, when the Pulicat lake was flooded following heavy downpour, a ship met with an accident. “Four children fell off into the river as the boat capsized. Luckily, a few fishermen who were around jumped in and saved them,” recollects fisherman Durai Mahendran.

“How long will we live like this?” The federal government has proposed to construct a bridge connecting the Pasiyavaram island to the mainland, however works are transferring at a snail’s tempo. “We urge the government to expedite it,” says Mahendran.

The Union Atmosphere Ministry had granted the Coastal Zone Regulation clearance, however the work on the bridge that connects Pulicat primary street to the island, needed to be stopped as a result of monsoon. “The  Highways Department has commenced works on the bridge,” stated Muthuswamy, District Income Officer of Tiruvallur.

Aside from the Nivar rainfall and water coming from the Arani river, filling the lake to the brim, there’s a looming menace on the Krishnapuram dam, which additionally has reached its full capability. The islanders, most of whom are fishermen, do not need the sources to stock up meals and provides.

The island has 5 villages — Sathankuppam, Edamani, Edamani Colony, Rahmat Nagar and Pasiyavaram — with an estimated inhabitants of over 18,000 individuals. It has two major faculties, a temple and some pucca roads that the islanders use to commute to the close by Pulicat city, however no hospitals. When Express visited the island on Thursday, water was flowing onto the roads.

The autos had been crossing the street cautiously and other people had been seen stocking-up on necessities, because the street is most certainly to be submerged in a day or two, cutting-off entry to the mainland. The flood waters didn’t drain quick sufficient from the slender Pulicat bar mouth. On the anticipated flood scenario, the official stated {that a} flood warning was sounded in a number of villages alongside the riverside.

“In 2015, there was flooding in the area after a couple of breaches in Reddipalayam and Perumedukuppam, where the river takes a curve and the bund was weak. This time around, the bund has been strengthened and so far, there is no real danger. We have also kept evacuation plans and multi-hazard relief centres ready to accommodate over 3,000 people, if a need arises.”

Kattur, one other space within the island has a number of irrigation tanks and nearly all are full to the brim. D Jagannathan, Commissioner of Catastrophe Administration, stated the scenario was being intently monitored.