MPs seek urgent relief to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for rains, floods

New Delhi: Members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday made strong plea for all possible help and assistance to Tamil Nadu, battered by unprecedented rains, as it discussed the flood situation in various parts of the country.

They said that Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai and the adjoining districts, and parts of Andhra Pradesh were witnessing the fury of the northeastern monsoon and needed all efforts for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

Expressing concern over the situation, T G Venkatesh Babu (AIADMK) urged the Centre to immediately release funds to carry out relief works in flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu on a war-footing.

Insisting that the flood situation in Tamil Nadu should be considered as a "national calamity", he said that the Centre should give funds to the state which has sought over Rs 8,480 crore towards relief works from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the central forces for their immediate response towards the enormous relief works. Sharing the concern, Sudip Bandhyopadhyay (TMC) said that West Bengal had witnessed both floods and drought in different parts of the state and should be helped along with Tamil Nadu.

He said the Mamata Banerjee government has sought Rs 6,000 crore from the Centre to tackle the situation. "Chief Ministers are representatives of people and therefore the financial assistance sought by them should be taken on priority", he said.