Cabinet Secretary reviews flood situation in Tamil Nadu

Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) here on Thursday to review the flood situation in Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu informed the NCMC, through video-conferencing, about the latest situation and ongoing Relief and Rescue works in the state.

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The status of deployment of NDRF teams, Army columns, Air Force helicopters and boats provided by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and NDRF was discussed in the meeting. The requirement of ready-to-eat food items, potable water, milk and power was also reviewed.

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The meeting was attended by Secretaries from various key Ministries/Nodal agencies, concerned with the emergency response (rescue and relief), such as Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Power, Urban Development, Railways, Civil Aviation, Telecommunication, Information & Broadcasting, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The Cabinet Secretary asked the concerned Ministries to provide necessary assistance in a coordinated manner to the State Government, ensuring that the Rescue and Evacuation of the people is their top priority.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today in wake of devastating floods in the state, announced a relief package of Rs. 1000 crores.

He said that the declared amount is over and above the Rs. 940 crores which was released earlier.

"I have seen the damage and misery caused by extremely heavy rainfall. The government of India stands by the people of Tamil Nadu in their hour of need. I have directed Rs. 1000 crores to be released immediately by the government of India to Tamil Nadu for immediate relief. This is over and above the Rs. 940 crores which was released earlier," the Prime Minister had said.