Rajnath promises Jayalalithaa 'all possible help'

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday

assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa "all possible help" as she sought funds to battle the massive floods in the state that have left an estimated 100 people dead and caused widespread destruction.

Jayalalithaa got the assurance from Singh when she apprised him of the

flood damage in the state, particularly in capital Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Kanchipuram and Cuddalore.

An official statement issued here said said Singh told the chief minister that a central team would reach Tamil Nadu immediately after the state submits a memorandum explaining the extent of loss.

On his part, Singh tweeted that the central government was assisting the

state agencies of Tamil Nadu in rescue and relief operations. He said he had assured Jayalalithaa "all possible help".

Jayalalithaa told Singh that an assessment of the flood damage was being done.

She said a detailed memorandum seeking the central government's assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund and other central funding would be submitted by November 23.

She also requested Singh to speedily depute a central government team to

Tamil Nadu to make an on the spot assessment and recommend release of

central assistance without delay.

Various central agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, the army, air force, navy and Coast Guard are engaged in relief and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu.