Central team to visit Tamil Nadu to assess flood damage

NEW DELHI: A high-level inter-ministerial central team will visit Tamil Nadu from tomorrow to assess the damage caused by the recent floods in Chennai and neighbouring districts which were worst affected.

Over 120 people lost their lives in Tamil Nadu in last fortnight following floods due to incessant rains which lashed Chennai and some other parts of the state.

The team, led by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs TVSN Prasad, has been deputed for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

The team has been deputed following a request from the Tamil Nadu government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The team will include representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Rural Development, Drinking Water and Power from Delhi, representatives of Ministries of Road Transport and Highways and Health from Chennai and Central Water Commission, Bengaluru.

The team is also likely to visit Puducherry.

On Monday, the Prime Minister had instructed the release of financial assistance to the tune of Rs 939.63 crore immediately to Tamil Nadu to assist it in dealing with the situation arising from the floods.