Tamil Nadu Rain Disaster: 31 Dead, Nirmala Sitharaman Confirms Rs 900 Crore Allocation
- Posted on December 22, 2023
- Natural Disaster
- By Arijit Dutta
- 212 Views
Tamil Nadu faces a calamity as heavy rains claim 31 lives, prompting the Centre to release Rs 900 crore for relief efforts. Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed this aid and highlighted the Regional Meteorological Centre's warnings. Simultaneously, the Indian Navy initiated rescue operations amid the relentless downpour.
Amidst
the deluge of incessant rains, Tamil Nadu has been grappling with a dire
situation, marked by devastating consequences. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance
Minister, conveyed distressing news of 31 fatalities due to rain-related
incidents in the state. This alarming toll has prompted urgent and decisive
action from both the state and central authorities.
Sitharaman
promptly announced the release of a substantial sum, Rs 900 crore, by the
Centre to aid Tamil Nadu in coping with this catastrophic event. The allocated
funds, disbursed in two installments specifically earmarked for this fiscal
year, aim to alleviate the widespread destruction and assist in relief
measures.
Highlighting
the predictive capabilities of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai,
Sitharaman emphasized their accurate forecast made on December 12. The forecast
specifically pinpointed heavy rainfall in four districts—Tenkasi, Kanyakumari,
Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin—setting the stage for this unfortunate series of
events on December 17.
However, amidst this crisis, concerns were raised about Chief Minister M K Stalin's absence from the state. While Tamil Nadu faced this severe calamity, Stalin was engaged in discussions in Delhi with the I.N.D.I.A. Alliance, drawing attention to the need for immediate and focused attention to the unfolding crisis within the state.
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Simultaneously,
the Indian Navy swiftly initiated rescue operations in the southern regions of
Tamil Nadu. Deploying their resources effectively, the Navy conducted seven
helicopter sorties, facilitating the air-dropping of 3.2 tons of critical
relief materials. These efforts primarily targeted the inaccessible
flood-affected zones, notably Srivaikuntam, in an attempt to provide aid to
those in urgent need.
This calamitous situation underscores the critical importance of efficient disaster management strategies and swift responses. The relentless downpour has inflicted widespread devastation, necessitating an immediate and coordinated effort from all levels of administration to mitigate the impact and assist the affected communities in Tamil Nadu.