Cyclone Gaja: Kerala govt allots Rs 10 crore to TN

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday sanctioned Rs. 10 crore as financial aid to the Tamil Nadu government for the relief and rehabilitation work in cyclone Gaja-hit areas.

The Kerala government will also set aside Rs 3.25 crore from the Chief Minister's relief fund for the fishermen who participated in rescue operations during the ensuing floods. This amount will be used to compensate them for their damaged boats.

The move comes a day after actor-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Hassan wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking him to provide full support to the citizens of Tamil Nadu who were affected by the cyclone Gaja.

Stating that "cyclone Gaja has caused widespread damage and destruction to life and property" in the Cauvery delta and coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Hassan asked Vijayan to "rise above politics and other affiliations to demonstrate a true spirit of human kindness".

Cyclone Gaja left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu about two weeks ago, claiming the lives of as many as 46 people apart from causing widespread damage to property and livestock.