Chennai: A few hours after Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa sought £200 million for flood relief work, the Central government has released a financial aid of £9.39 million. Based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions, £9.39 million would be released immediately to Tamil Nadu to assist it in dealing with the flood situation, a release from the Union home ministry said.
"The fund was sanctioned in response to the request of the Tamil Nadu government. A central team is also being deputed to Tamil Nadu to assess the damage. Further action will be taken after the team submits its report," the release said.
"Earlier, a letter from the chief minister enclosing a detailed memorandum on flood damage was sent to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) by a delegation led by special representative of Tamil Nadu S T K Jakkayan," said the release.
Earlier, Jayalalithaa apprised union home minister Rajnath Singh about unprecedented rain and floods, especially in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore districts. Jayalalithaa called up Rajnath and requested him to depute a central team to the state to make an on the spot assessment of the rain damage in the state.
Later, the Union home minister tweeted: "Spoke to TN CM, who appraised me of the flood situation in the state. The Centre is assisting the state agencies of TN in rescue and relief ops. Assured TN CM of all possible help."
The chief minister indicated to the Union minister that the assessment of flood damage was being undertaken across the state and the government would submit its detailed memorandum seeking assistance from the national disaster response fund and other central funding at the earliest, an official press release said.
The Union home minister told Jayalalithaa that a central team would be sent to Tamil Nadu on receipt of the memorandum from the state government. "The chief minister detailed the precautionary measures taken by the government and also the extensive, immediate relief and rescue efforts launched under her leadership through teams of ministers and senior officials deputed to each of the flood affected districts," the release said.
Rain toll rises to 120
Meanwhile, the toll from rain-related incidents in the state has increased to 120. In a statement,
Jayalalithaa said nine persons had been killed in the last four days, with the victims mainly hailing from Chennai and Kancheepuram districts, and expressed sympathies with their families. She announced a relief of Rs 400,000 each to the families of the victims.
