Rain crisis: CPI-M seeks 'immediate' help for Tamil Nadu from Centre

NEW DELHI: In the wake of torrential rainfall in Tamil Nadu that has claimed as many as 55 lives, CPI(M) today demanded that the Centre "immediately" provide all the necessary help to the state government to deal with the situation.

Extending "deep condolences to families of people who have died due to unprecedented floods", the party central committee called upon the Centre "to provide all necessary assistance, monetary, food supplies and other needs to state government urgently. This should be done on humanitarian grounds immediately."

Several parts of TN, including Chennai, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram districts, have been lashed by heavy downpours in the last few days. According to the official figure yesterday, the rains have claimed the lives of 55 persons and disrupted rail and road traffic.

Schools and colleges in northern districts, including in Chennai, Vellore, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram, remained closed yesterday.

The party's central committee has gathered at present in the national capital for a meeting.