Modi govt comes to Chennai's rescue, creates special fund for flood mitigation

To help make Chennai "flood-resilient", Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday 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 (NDMF).

"This is the first in a series of urban flood mitigation efforts and will help develop a broader framework for urban flood management," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

Second instalment of central share to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

The Union Minister also said to help the governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh affected by severe cyclonic storm Michaung, PM Modi has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to "release in advance the central share of the second installment of SDRF of Rs 493.60 crore to Andhra Pradesh and Rs 450 crore to Tamil Nadu."

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Shah further informed that the Centre has already released the first installment of the same amount to both cyclone Michaung affected states.

"I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand with them in this crucial hour and will ensure the situation normalizes at the earliest," the Union Home Minister said.

Meanwhile, residents of Chennai and most parts of Tamil Nadu continue to grapple with stagnant water and power disruption after heavy rain earlier this week.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on Thursday to take stock of the damage caused by floods.

Holiday for all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu have been extended by Chief Minister MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government till Thursday due to severe flooding in several parts of these districts.

Educational institutes in six taluks — Pallavaram, Tambaram, Vandalur, Thiruporur, Chengalpattu, and Thirukazhukundram — will remain closed on 7 December.

Due to flooding, the residents across Chennai have been facing acute shortage of milk, drinking water and other essential commodities. The shortage is due to logistics issues, as the supply chain was disrupted due to the calamity.

An estimated 17 people, most of them in Chennai, have died in the flooding that was triggered by the torrential rains that preceded the cyclone, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh state on Tuesday afternoon.

With inputs from agencies