Cyclone Gaja: TN govt seeks about Rs.15,000cr aid from Center
What's the story
The Tamil Nadu government yesterday sought about Rs. 15,000cr as central assistance towards relief, rehabilitation activities in cyclone-affected districts in the state.
CM K Palaniswami met PM Modi in Delhi with a plea for central assistance for various sectors in the districts hit by Cyclone Gaja, government officials said in Chennai.
Palaniswami also urged Modi to depute a central team to assess the damage.
Memorandum
Rs. 14.910cr sought for permanent renovation in various areas
"I have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister detailing the extent of the damage caused by the cyclone," Palaniswami said in Delhi.
According to the abstract of the memorandum submitted to Modi, Tamil Nadu has sought a total sum of Rs. 14,910cr towards permanent renovation activities in various areas, including the power sector, which has been badly hit by the cyclone.
Damage
Aftermath: Over 1L electric poles uprooted, many power sub-stations damaged
Over 1L electric poles had been uprooted and a significant number of power sub-stations damaged, with reports suggesting that many parts are still without power.
The cyclone also claimed 46 lives and left a trail of destruction in over ten districts, including Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Puthukottai and Thanjavur.
According to the official estimate, around 2,49,083 people have been evacuated from the worst-hit areas.
Information
State government has already released Rs. 1000cr to kick-start rehabilitation
Early on November 16, Cyclone Gaja had crossed the Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam, about 300 km from Chennai, and nearby Vedaranyam. The state government has already released a sum of Rs. 1000 crore for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.