CUDDALORE | Dec 08, 2015: Neyveli witnessed very heavy rainfall like other parts of the State, with a total of 1,250 mm rainfall recorded from November till December 5. All the mines in Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) were inundated and mining operation had to be stopped for evacuating storm water collected in the mines, NLC general manager said, in a press release.
In November, there was loss of Rs 400 crore, besides loss to the mining equipment, which are submerged in the rain water. Even after suffering huge losses, NLC is doing a balancing act of ensuring the safety of the mines and its surroundings, the release said. Restricted pumping is being carried out under the strict vigil of the State government authorities. Inundation of areas near Paravanar river was not due to pumping of rain water from mines alone, but also due to the heavy rains in the catchment areas, the release said.
Neyveli has taken up a lot of peripheral development works under CSR initiative. Around Rs 45 crore was spent under this scheme, the release stated.
The Wallajah lake was desilted by NLC at a total cost of Rs 14 crore, which ultimately increased the capacity of the tank by 210 crore litres.
The Paravanar river was also desilted and widened under this scheme.
In case of any nature disaster, NLC has always been in the fore front in extending all sorts of possible help to the needy, its general manager said. Like on previous occasions, NLC has been providing food, accommodation and has been extending medical facility to the flood-affected people of Cuddalore district.
So far, around 50,000 food packets, lorries to supply drinking water, buses to shift the flood-affected people and medical teams — two each from NLC and PIMS (NLC sponsored) have been provided.
(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)