Jayalalithaa asks PM for Rs 5,000 crore immediately

Following a tough situation and rains playing havoc affecting relief measures, TN CM J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy more Army and National Disaster Relief Force personnel.

She also urged Mr Modi for an immediate “on account” release of Rs 5,000 crore for flood relief works during a meeting between the two here.

Considering the magnitude of the devastation, the CM requested that at least 10 more columns of the Indian Army and another 20 teams of the NDRF, with necessary rescue equipment, may be immediately sent to Chennai, especially in view of the fact that more rains have been forecast by the regional meteorological department.

The Tamil Nadu government is providing massive relief and coordinating rescue operations with the Central forces in the flood-hit areas of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Kanchipuram districts, Ms Jayalalithaa said on Thursday after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas.

The state government authorities from various departments have been directed to take stock of the situation in the flood-affected districts of the state and provide immediate and necessary assistance to the affected people, she said in a statement.

Ms Jayalalithaa said despite her government’s preventive efforts, the state had suffered severe damage on account of the heavy rainfall during the Northeast monsoon.

Thousands of stranded residents were rescued from various locations in the state, especially Chennai, by the Indian Air Force, NDRF and Navy using boats and helicopters. The people were shifted to relief camps, where they were provided food packets, baby food, water, mattresses and medicines, her statement said. Steps are being taken to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Officials of the state-run Aavin have been instructed to provide milk powder to people at relief camps, she said.

Ms Jayalalithaa on Wednesday had also detailed the various steps taken by the government to tackle the situation in Chennai and other flood-hit districts.

Various ministers, including O. Paneerselvam, have been deputed to take charge of the relief works in different districts.

Senior IAS officials have also been tasked to ensure that relief reaches the people in the worst-affected Chennai and other districts.