Submit flood damage report early, Jayalalithaa tells team

Chennai, Nov 26  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on Thursday requested the central government team to complete its assessment of the damage caused by the floods in the state and submit its report at the earliest.

The eight member central team led by T.V.S.N. Prasad, joint secretary, ministry of home affairs, met Jayalalithaa here.

"The requirement of funds for relief and restoration of infrastructure are well beyond the resources available with the state," she told the team.

"I, therefore, request the central team to make an in-depth assessment of the damages suffered by the state and to submit its report to the ministry of home affairs expeditiously, so that the government of India would be able to release central financial assistance without any delay," she said.

Rains lashed four districts in Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore, Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram - during the last couple of weeks killing some 180 people.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promptly sending the team, Jayalalithaa said: "I am sure that during your tour of the affected districts during the next three days, you will be able to see first hand the widespread damage to property including dwelling units and crops, infrastructure including roads and bridges, water supply and electricity supply systems which have been battered in many areas.

"You will also be able to see the exemplary rescue and relief work which was undertaken by the state agencies."

On November 23, Jayalalithaa sent a memorandum to Modi asking for central funding of Rs.8,481 crore towards flood relief.

She also asked for immediate relief of Rs.2,000 crore.

On November 23, Modi had ordered the release of financial assistance of Rs.939.63 crore to the state.