Singapore to provide $75,000 assistance to flood-hit Chennai

SINGAPORE: Singapore has contributed USD 75,000 to assist those affected by the devastating flood in Chennai, country's foreign affairs ministry said today.

Additionally, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan has also sent a letter to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today.

Balakrishnan has also informed the Chief Minister of Singapore's contribution of USD 75,000 to the Singapore Red Cross' "South Asia Floods 2015" public appeal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.

"I am saddened by the hundreds of lives lost and disrupted due to the severe flooding in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu.

"Like many Singaporeans, I hope that the floods will recede soon. I am confident that normalcy will return to your state in the near future under your leadership," he wrote.

Balakrishnan added that he hoped the Singapore contribution to the fund would be able to help those affected.

"We hope that this will be of some assistance to those affected by the floods and demonstrate Singapore's solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu during this difficult period," Balakrishnan said.

Meanwhile, all flights between Singapore's Changi and Chennai have been suspended due to the heavy rains.

Heavy rains have lashed the region with over 250 people killed in Tamil Nadu.