Cyclone Fengal: Government Allocates ₹944 Crore for Relief Efforts in Tamil Nadu
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) The central government has sanctioned the release of ₹944.8 crore to the Tamil Nadu government in two installments from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to aid in the relief efforts for those affected by Cyclone Fengal, as stated by the Home Ministry in an official announcement.
Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government remains committed to supporting states impacted by natural disasters in alleviating the challenges faced by their residents, the statement highlighted.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed the approval of ₹944.8 crore to Tamil Nadu as part of both installments from the SDRF, aimed at assisting the state in providing relief to those affected by Cyclone Fengal, which struck on November 30.
An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been dispatched to the cyclone-hit regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for an immediate evaluation of the damage inflicted.
Following the receipt of the IMCT’s assessment reports, further financial support from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will be allocated to the affected states in accordance with the established protocols, the release noted.
This year, the central government has already disbursed over ₹21,718.716 crore to 28 states.
This total includes ₹14,878.40 crore from SDRF to 26 states, ₹4,808.32 crore from NDRF to 18 states, ₹1,385.45 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 states, and ₹646.546 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to seven states.
Alongside financial support, the central government has also provided logistical assistance, including the deployment of necessary NDRF teams, Army units, and Air Force support to all states impacted by floods and cyclones.
In a letter addressed to the Centre on Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin indicated that Cyclone Fengal had caused "unprecedented" destruction in the state and requested PM Modi to authorize ₹2,000 crore in interim relief from the NDRF in a single payment.
Stalin noted that over 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals were significantly impacted by the disaster in northern Tamil Nadu districts such as Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi.
The state government’s preliminary assessment indicated that approximately ₹2,475 crore would be necessary for temporary restoration initiatives.
"Despite our best efforts, the magnitude of this disaster has exceeded the state’s resources, necessitating urgent financial aid to address the aftermath of this natural catastrophe," Stalin stated in the letter.
