Chennai, Dec 9 – Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti Rajeev Chandrasekhar will visit Chennai tomorrow to take stock of the recent flood affected areas in Chennai and adjoining Kancheepuram districts.
Mr Rajeev Chandrsekhar will take stock of the rain-battered suburban Mudichur, which is still under sheets of water even four days after the rains under the influence Cyclone Michaung, had abated, and Varadharapuram areas at 1100 hrs on Saturday.
He will be the second Union Minister to visit Chennai to inspect the flood hit districts and assess the damages casued by the unprecedented rains that lashed the North coastal districts of Chennai and three of its neighbouring districts–Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur–on Sunday and Monday last, before the Cyclonic storm moved towards Andhra Pradesh and made a landfall near Bapatla on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in-and-around Chennai and later met Chief Minister M.K.Stalin and discussed about the extent of damages caused by the Cyclone MIchuang.
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was deeply distressed by the loss of lives in the Cyclone, the Defence Minister said Mr Modi was closely reviewing the situation.
Mr Rajnath also said Mr Modi has approved the first urban flood mitigation project of Rs. 561.29 crore for ‘Integrated Urban Flood Management activities for Chennai Basin Project’ under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund, which also includes central assistance of Rs 500 crore.
Mr Stain thanked Mr Rajnath Singh for visiting Chennai to assess the impact of Cyclone Michaung.
“Shared a detailed overview of the devastation caused by the floods and requested his support in immediately releasing Rs 5,060 Cr as interim relief to rectify the damage incurred”, Mr Stalin, who also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Union Minister on the damages caused, posted in X.
“I hope he will ensure that Tamil Nadu receives the necessary support and assistance for a resilient recovery”, he said and exuded confidence that the Union Government wil depute a Central Tema to assess the extend of damages caused by the natural clamity.
Mr Stalin also requested him to immediately release an interm relief or Rs 5,060 crore sought by the state government. to rectify the damages incurred by the /cyclone.
Earlier, in a letter to Mr Modi, the Chief Minister sought immediate release of an interim relief of Rs 5,060 crore to undertake relief works in flood affected areas of the State and also urged him to depute a Central team to estimate the damages.
He also said that works on estimated the damages has started and after preparing a detailed report it would be sent to the Centre seeking additional assistance.
Later, in a social media post Mr Stalin said “Dear Hon’ble PM Thiru.@narendramodi, in response to #CycloneMichaung’s devastation, I have detailed the severe impacts on Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu in my recent letter.”
“I have requested an interim relief of Rs.5060 crore for immediate restoration efforts. Additionally,
we are in the process of preparing a comprehensive report to assess the need for further funds,
ensuring a thorough recovery”, Mr Stalin added.
