NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, DEC 19
The southern districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi were among the severely affected by unprecedented rains as they received their annual rainfall on a single day leading to massive inundation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Tuesday.
“As the state was coping with the relief and rehabilitation of the four districts including Chennai where Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc on December 4, heavy rains battered the southern districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari, on December 17 and 18,” he said. “Relief and rehabilitation in these districts would be taken up in the same vigour in which the state government had launched the activities in Chennai and suburbs,” Stalin said and added that he would personally visit Thoothukudi on Wednesday to oversee the relief and rehabilitation activities.
- I would take up this issue and also submit a detailed report on the extent of damages in the southern districts to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during my meeting tonight and seek additional central assistance: CM
- Eight state Ministers and 10 IAS officers besides trained state forces and 10 NDRF teams were involved in the rescue operations in the southern districts: Stalin
“The rainfall received in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi was the highest ever recorded in history – in the last 47-60 years. You all know that a year’s rainfall was emptied from the skies in one day. Kayalpattinam alone received 94cm rainfall,” the Chief Minister told reporters in the national capital. “The quantum of rainfall received was far above the prediction of the IMD for December 17 and 18. Eight state Ministers and 10 IAS officers besides trained state forces and 10 NDRF teams were involved in the rescue operations in the southern districts. Army help has also been sought,” he added.
So far 12,653 people have been rescued and lodged in relief camps and food is being distributed to the marooned people through helicopters. According to the CM, people from 4 districts including Chennai, affected by Cyclone Michaung, were saved due to precautionary measures taken by the state government before and after the cyclone, thereby minimising the loss of lives and damage to property. “We have requested additional funds of Rs 7,033 crore as interim relief and Rs 12,059 crore as permanent relief for Chennai and suburbs, as this was a major disaster. And we have commenced the distribution of relief of Rs 6,000 to each family in the 4 affected districts without waiting for the central funds,” he said.
“Complete relief work could be carried out only if the central government provided the funds fully,” he said.
Stalin meets PM Modi, demands Rs. 2000-cr interim relief from NDRF funds
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister M K Stalin meets the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night and submitted a detailed memorandum on the extent of damages in the southern districts and demanded an immediate/interim relief of Rs. 2000 crore from National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Met with Hon'ble Prime Minister Thiru @NarendraModi to discuss the urgent situation in flood-hit areas of Tamil Nadu. Submitted a memorandum seeking funds from #NDRF to enhance ongoing rescue efforts and restore vital infrastructure. Grateful for the @PMOIndia's attention to… pic.twitter.com/7Rhn7XaaEk
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 19, 2023
