The central government has sanctioned ₹944.8 crore to Tamil Nadu as part of the central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to assist the state in providing relief to those impacted by Cyclone Fengal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed in an official statement.
Central Government's Support for Cyclone Affected States
The Home Ministry stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government is committed to supporting states affected by natural calamities. This includes providing assistance to help mitigate the hardships faced by the people of these states.
To further assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been dispatched to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Their task is to conduct an on-the-ground evaluation of the cyclone’s impact. Once the assessment reports are received, additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will be approved as per established procedures, the release noted.
Government’s Ongoing Disaster Relief Efforts
The central government has already released over ₹21,718 crore in disaster relief to 28 states this year. This amount includes ₹14,878 crore from SDRF to 26 states, ₹4,808 crore from NDRF to 18 states, and other significant contributions from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
Tamil Nadu Seeks Additional Interim Relief
In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin highlighted the severe damage caused by Cyclone Fengal, calling it unprecedented. Stalin requested the release of ₹2,000 crore in interim relief from the NDRF as a one-time disbursal. The cyclone has left over 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals severely affected in northern Tamil Nadu districts such as Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi.
The state government’s preliminary assessment has estimated the immediate need for ₹2,475 crore for temporary restoration efforts. Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that despite the state’s best efforts, the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources, making urgent financial assistance from the Centre crucial.
With inputs from agencies
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