Cyclone-hit TN: People making quick buck

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Shrewd operators in cyclone Thane devastated Cuddalore district have cashed in on people's woes to make money, asking for exorbitant rates to bring in generators to fill water tanks and steeply charging to charge mobile phones.

"It's very difficult to get generators to fill water tanks. Generator suppliers charge Rs 300 to Rs 500 to give them to us. They bring along a generator that makes your pump work and store water. People want water for cooking," Satish, a medical professional said.

Power, cut off in the district a day before the 120 km cyclone struck on December 30, has still not been restored in many areas.

"Since there is no power for the last four days, we cannot store groundwater in tanks. We have run out of water. Though the municipality is undertaking relief operations, our woes remain as there are not enough staff," he said.

Another bunch of people are taking advantage of desperate customers seeking to contact relatives and friends, demanding Rs 10 to charge their mobile phones.

"They have started operations like in Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations. We have to somehow get cellphones charged since half the work we do daily is through phones. And almost 99 per cent of landline connections in the district are out of service since December 30," Satish said.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board sources said that power, which was turned of on December 29 night, is likely to be restored in the main areas in Cuddalore town by this evening, but that it would take another two to three days in peripheral areas.

Satish said people now realised the importance of the media and recalled hearing rumours yesterday about an earthquake striking the coast, which he later clarified through a friend had struck Japan.

"Even for knowing when we will get back electricity and milk and water supply, we rely on TVs and radio channels. Due to power disruption, we can't even know that," Ganapathy, a driver of a state transport corporation bus said.

"I wish 2012 does not bring such things again to Cuddalore. We celebrated new year in candlelight and have dinner in candle light. Electricity is what we need first," said Arumugam, an auto driver.