Heavy rainfall in the delta region hampered relief and restoration work underway in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts on Friday. The heavy downpour slowed down the restoration work, especially work on restoring the electricity distribution network. With about 1.09 lakh electric poles having been uprooted, thousands of workers, including those from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, are working overtime to restore power supply to the affected areas. The works were held up in certain places which witnessed heavy rain. But in places where there was mild or moderate rainfall, our workers braved the downpour to continue the works. We have supplied raincoats to workers wherever needed. Even where there has been heavy rain, the workers stayed in the place and resume the work as soon as there is a let up in the rain, a senior Tangedco official supervising the operations in Nagapattinam district said. Heavy rains lashed Valangaiman, Needamangalam, Thiruthuraipoondi, Kodavasal and Muthupet areas in Tiruvarur district. In Nagapattinam district, Vedaranyam, Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai areas received intermittent rainfall. In Thanjavur district, Papanasam, Kumbakonam, Pattukottai and Adirampattinam areas received heavy downpour. Several parts of Pudukottai, Tiruchi and Ariyalur districts too received good rainfall during the day. The downpour left several areas waterlogged. Electricity Minister P. Thangamani, who inspected the affected areas in Thalaignayiru areas along with Industries Minister M.C.Sampath and Handlooms and Textiles Minister O.S.Manian, said 45,000 out of the total 1.09 lakh uprooted electric poles have been replaced. About 50% of restoration works have been completed in Tiruvarur district and 40% in Thanjavur district. However, he conceded that rain and waterlogging in Nagapattinam district were leading to delays in restoration of power supply. In some places, the workers have to work in fields submerged in hip-deep water, said Mr. Manian. A senior official in Tiruvarur district conceded that the rain has affected the relief and restoration works. The rain has been torrential today. We hope it stops by tomorrow, he said. The road rokos by people also hampered work. Such instances have come down now, but there are sporadic agitations, he added. The rain was heavy disrupting all relief measures. Fallen coconut tree leaves have started rotting and a foul odour hangs in the air. The immediate need is to clear them and sanitise the areas using bleaching powder, said V. Veerasenan of Pattukottai. He was also critical of keeping open schools on Friday when rain had been forecast. People in damaged houses, without means to cook, should also be supplied food, he demanded.