Tamil Nadu seeks immediate release of Rs 2,000 crore for rain relief

“Many parts of the state have been severely affected due to flooding. (A total of) 169 lives were lost during this northeast monsoon since October 1, and there was widespread damage to property including dwelling units and crops,” she said in a letter to the PM on Monday.

Funds required for immediate rescue and relief and restoration of infrastructure have been worked out at Rs 8,481 crore in all, she said. She sought the assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund and other central funds.

Despite her government's preventive efforts, the state suffered severe damage because of “extremely heavy and sustained” rainfall. Her government had allocated Rs 500 crore for relief work.

The funds required are well beyond the resources available with the state, including the State Disaster Response Fund. She sought the deployment of a central team for an assessment of damage and immediate release of funds.

Roads, bridges, electricity supply systems battered: Infrastructure, including roads and bridges, storm water drains, water supply, sewage and electricity supply systems had been battered in many areas.

A deep depression of high intensity formed in the Bay of Bengal hit the Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam on Nov. 10, 2015, resulting in extremely heavy rains particularly in the four northern coastal districts of Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur, Jayalalithaa said. More than four lakh people were shifted to relief camps and provided food and shelter.

Acknowledging the services of the National Disaster Response Force, Army, Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard in rescue operations, she thanked Modi for the promptness in the dispatch of these forces.