Centre committed to provide help to flood-hit Tamil Nadu

Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday assured that the Central Government is committed to provide help and assistance to the people of flood-hit Tamil Nadu.

"The Central Government is totally committed in helping out whichever way they can. The honourable Prime Minister and the Home Minister have been talking to the honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and extending whatever help is required," Harsimrat told the media here.

"Army and our navy are already out there, helping out. Whatever further help is needed the government is standing behind the people of Tamil Nadu," she added.

She further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been very proactive during the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, in the north-east and now in Tamil Nadu.

"We hope God takes mercy and stops the rain and the government can help and ensure that lives come back to normal in Tamil Nadu as soon as possible," she said.

The Indian Air force (IAF) on Thursday conducted operations to provide relief to those affected by the devastating rains in Chennai.

The incessant rains in Chennai and the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu over the last few weeks have wreaked havoc and disrupted normal lives in the state.

In the last 24-hours, Chennai has received 345 mm of rain, which is highest ever for a single day in the last 114 years.

According to the Home Ministry, 269 people have lost their lives due to the calamity in the state so far.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi left for Chennai today to take an aerial survey and assess the situation.