New Delhi:

The Central government has approved the release of Rs 944.8 crore to the Tamil Nadu government as two installments of central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to help it provide relief to people affected by cyclone Fengal, the Home Ministry said in an official statement.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the states affected by natural calamities in mitigating the hardship faced by people, the statement said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the release of Rs 944.8 crore to the Tamil Nadu government as both the installments of central share from the SDRF to help the state in providing relief assistance to people affected by cyclone Fengal on November 30, it said.

An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been sent to Fengal-affected Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused.

After the assessment reports of IMCTs are received, additional financial assistance from NDRF will be approved for the disaster-affected states as per the established procedure, the release said.

More than Rs 21,718.716 crore has already been released by the central government to 28 states during this year.

This includes Rs 14,878.40 crore from SDRF to 26 states, Rs 4,808.32 crore from NDRF to 18 states, Rs 1,385.45 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 states, and Rs 646.546 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to seven states.

In addition to financial assistance, the central government has also provided all logistic assistance, including deployment of requisite NDRF teams, Army teams, and Air Force support to all the flood and cyclone-affected states.

In a letter to the Centre on Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said Cyclone Fengal caused “unprecedented” devastation in the state and urged PM Modi to release Rs 2,000 crore interim relief from the NDRF as a single disbursal.

Stalin said that more than 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals were severely affected by the calamity in northern Tamil Nadu districts like Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi.

The state government’s initial assessment revealed that an estimated Rs 2,475 crore was required for temporary restoration efforts.

“Despite our best efforts, the scale of this disaster has overwhelmed the state’s resources, and the state needs urgent financial assistance to manage the fallout of this natural disaster,” Stalin said in the letter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Cyclone Fengal live updates: The remnants of Cyclone Fengal continued to bring heavy rainfall and flood situations across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, even a day after it weakened. At least 15 districts in Tamil Nadu are likely to receive heavy rainfall with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an ‘yellow’ alert.

At least 10 people have died in rain-related accidents in both regions.

Rescue operations are also underway with the Indian Army stepping in to evacuate stranded citizens in inundated streets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, assuring him of all possible help to deal with the flood situation and the destruction caused by the Cyclone.

Here are the latest updates on Cyclone Fengal:

“Devastating”: Rahul Gandhi on deaths due to Cyclone Fengal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences over the deaths due to Cyclone Fengal.

“Devastating news of Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those whose homes and property have been damaged,” he wrote on X.

He also urged all Congress workers in the state to step forward and help the administration in relief efforts wherever possible.

Devastating news of Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those whose homes and property have been damaged.

I urge all Congress workers in the state to step forward and help the…

– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 3, 2024

PM Modi calls MK Stalin, assures all possible help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday and assured all possible help to deal with the flood situation and devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal.

On Monday, Chief Minister Stalin had written a letter to PM Modi requesting Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF) as interim relief to carry out rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts following the widespread and massive devastation caused by the Cyclone.

Heavy rainfall continues in Tamil Nadu, ‘yellow’ alert in 15 districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert predicting heavy rainfall in 15 districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. Some of the districts include – Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Tiruppur, Erode, Theni, and Madurai.