Tamil Nadu seeks central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva on Tuesday said the DMK government has requested for an interim relief of Rs 5,000 crore in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Michong in Tamil Nadu.
Shiva raised the issue during ‘Zero Hour’ in the Rajya Sabha and said Chennai and other districts of the state were inundated due to heavy rains due to the cyclone.
Shiva said that due to continuous rains the roads have become rivers and the rivers are also in spate and breaking their banks.
Highlighting the devastation caused by the cyclone in Tamil Nadu, the DMK leader said all water bodies are in spate and many tanks have broken.
He also highlighted that due to the wrath of nature, many roads have been badly damaged and the supply of essential commodities has been disrupted.
He said that although the state government is making every possible effort to handle the situation, the damage to the infrastructure is so huge that it cannot be repaired soon.
“The State Government has requested an interim relief of Rs 5,000 crore. And I urge the Central Government to please release Rs 5,000 crore as initial interim relief, keeping in mind the situation in Tamil Nadu and the five districts, thereby This will help the state government in its efforts to protect the people of the state,” Shiva said.
At least eight people have died in Tamil Nadu due to the severe cyclonic storm that left main roads and subways inundated in Chennai and other major cities in the state, officials said on Tuesday.
Officials said people have been evacuated from the affected areas, while pregnant women, children and the elderly have been rescued from the danger areas.
On Tuesday morning, Chief Minister MK Stalin inspected the cyclone-affected areas, monitored the rescue operations and the facilities provided to the affected people.
He said the impact of loss of lives has been reduced to a great extent due to precautionary measures, systematic reforms and comprehensive structural preparedness. He also visited a relief camp set up at Kannappar Thidal, Chennai. Rescue and relief work is being carried out on war footing.
