Around 2,000 families in Arakandanallur Panchayat, Viluppuram district, have been severely impacted by the recent flooding caused by the Thenpennai and Thurinjal Rivers. The floodwaters have inundated their homes, disrupting their daily lives and livelihoods. Although the local Panchayat has been providing basic necessities such as food and water, residents have expressed frustration, as even these essential supplies were inadequate and substandard.
For two days, the people of Arakandanallur suffered without basic provisions, including clean drinking water, and were left with spoiled food. In a particularly distressing incident, a woman, already desperate from hunger, discovered that the food provided by the Panchayat was moldy and inedible. Upon inspecting the other food packets, it was found that the rice inside had rotted. In a state of disbelief, the woman discarded the spoiled food on the street, saying, “We’d rather die than eat this rotten food.”
The situation worsened when Panchayat employees, who had distributed the food, acknowledged the poor condition of the supplies. After complaints, the Panchayat workers informed the authorities, leading to the disposal of thousands of food packets, which were kept in cardboard boxes at the Panchayat office, into a garbage truck.
Thiruvennainallur’s PDO, Balu, who had sent the food from Trichy, explained that the packets were prepared on 4 December 2024 at 5 PM and were intended to be distributed by 8 PM. However, due to delays, the food was distributed around noon on 5 December, causing it to spoil when it reached the affected families.
Local residents now demand that the district administration take immediate action to provide them with quality food and essential support, as they have already lost their homes and belongings in the flood. The situation has sparked anger among the people, especially with children and the elderly struggling for survival.
" நாங்க என்னய்யா பாவம் செய்தோம்..? தண்ணீரை திறந்து ஊருக்குள் விட்டீங்க.. சாப்பிட கெட்டுப்போன உணவு தர்ரீங்க..? " இப்படியுமா பேரூராட்சி ஊழியர்கள்..?#Viluppuram | #Flood | #Cyclone | #Fungus | #FoodIssue | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/5BbhC5cy6S
— Polimer News (@polimernews) December 6, 2024
In another incident in the same area, residents confronted DMK Town Panchayat President Anbu and DMK City Secretary Sundaramoorthy, expressing their frustration for providing spoiled food. “We know how to protect ourselves, we don’t need anyone’s support,” they said in a heated exchange, reflecting the deep sense of despair and anger within the community. This ongoing crisis has drawn significant attention, with local authorities now under pressure to address the serious shortcomings in relief efforts and provide proper care for the flood-affected families.
(With inputs from Polimer News)
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