Tamil Nadu says Rs 8,481 cr needed for rescue, rehab plans

The state govt officially confirmed that 169 lives were lost during this North East monsoon since October 1, 2015

Tamil Nadu government on Monday said it needs Rs 8,481 crore to carry out immediate rescue and relief, as well as for temporary and permanent restoration of infrastructure. The state is still reeling from extremely heavy rainfall in different districts in Tamil Nadu since November 10, 2015. The state has asked the central government to release Rs 2,000 crore immediately.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today sent a detailed memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund and from other Central funds towards the cost of immediate relief and restoration works.

The CM has already sanctioned a sum of Rs 500 crore for relief and restoration operations.

However, the assessment of damages and requirement of funds for immediate relief and restoration of infrastructure which has been speedily carried out, indicates a much higher financial requirement.

"The requirement of funds for immediate rescue and relief and the temporary and permanent restoration of infrastructure has been worked out at Rs.8,481 crores in all," CM Jayalalithaa wrote in her letter.

She said the funds required are well beyond the resources available with the state, including the state disaster response fund.

She asked the union government to depute a Central team immediately to make its on-the-spot assessment of damages and to release central financial assistance without any delay.

Chennai, home to the state capital, is one the three worst affected districts in the state; in just the first 20 days of November, it has received the second heaviest monthly rainfall recorded in more than a hundred years. At Neyveli, it rained 437 mm on November 9, 2015. 

The state government officially confirmed that 169 lives were lost during this North East monsoon since October 1, 2015, and there was widespread damage to property including dwelling units and crops. Infrastructure, including roads and bridges, storm water drainage systems, water supply and sewerage systems and electricity supply systems have been battered in many areas.

A deep depression of high intensity formed in the Bay of Bengal and hit the Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam on November 10, 2015, causing "extremely heavy" rains, particularly in the four northern coastal districts of Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur.

.