Date:29/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112958990800.htm

Tamil Nadu

State to submit memorandum to Centre seeking flood relief

Special Correspondent

86 persons lost their lives in rain

CHENNAI: The State government is likely to submit its memorandum to the Centre on Saturday, seeking relief assistance in the wake of extensive damages caused by the latest cyclonic system.

Departments concerned are preparing their reports, which will be compiled and sent to the Union government. The entire exercise is expected to be completed on Saturday, according to a senior official supervising relief operations.

Eighty six persons lost their lives in the current spell of rain that began on November 19, another official said. As many as 2, 426 villages and eight lakh people were affected.

About 18,100 huts were partially damaged while 4,400 huts completely damaged and 273 heads of cattle perished.

The total number of relief centres opened was 1,426 and around 7.2 lakh people had been accommodated, the official said.

In the last few days, 15 lakh food packets were distributed.

Of the deaths so far, Thanjavur district accounted for 13 persons; Cuddalore – 12 and Nagapattinam – 10. In Chennai, five persons died.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi went around rain-hit areas of the city such as Kotturpuram, Saidapet, Kilpauk and Perambur on Saturday. Other Ministers were in districts. Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan visited some parts of the city while Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin visited Cuddalore and Public Works Minister Durai Murugan was in Tiruchi and Thanjavur.