New Delhi: The central government has approved a substantial ₹944.8 crore in two installments from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to aid Tamil Nadu in its relief efforts following the devastating impact of Cyclone Fengal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed. This significant funding is aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by residents in the aftermath of the cyclone that struck on November 30.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the central government has demonstrated its commitment to support states affected by natural disasters. With this funding, the government aims to provide much-needed relief to those impacted by Cyclone Fengal and support the swift recovery of affected regions.
In a proactive step, the government has already dispatched an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the damage. This assessment will provide the necessary information for determining further support, with additional financial aid from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) to follow as per established protocols.
This year alone, the central government has disbursed over ₹21,718 crore to 28 states, with contributions from various disaster relief funds, including ₹14,878.40 crore from SDRF to 26 states, ₹4,808.32 crore from NDRF to 18 states, ₹1,385.45 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 states, and ₹646.54 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to seven states. This demonstrates the central government’s robust approach to disaster management and recovery, extending vital financial and logistical support to states grappling with the impacts of cyclones and floods.
Additionally, the central government has mobilized critical resources, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army personnel, and Air Force assets, to aid in disaster relief operations across affected regions. These measures ensure that affected communities receive immediate help while the restoration process continues.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a letter to the Centre on Monday, underscored the “unprecedented” scale of destruction caused by Cyclone Fengal, which has severely impacted over 69 lakh families and approximately 1.5 crore individuals in districts like Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi. He urged Prime Minister Modi to allocate an additional ₹2,000 crore in interim relief from the NDRF, emphasizing the urgency of providing support to the state’s recovery efforts.
The initial damage assessment by the state government has projected that approximately ₹2,475 crore will be required for temporary restoration efforts. Recognizing the scale of the disaster, Chief Minister Stalin has called for prompt action to secure the necessary funds and manage the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts between the Centre and the state to restore normalcy in the affected regions.
