Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, is all set for his visit to Chennai to meet government officials and see how the Centre can further extend help to people in administering the aftermath of cyclone Michaung.
“I’m travelling today to Chennai to visit flood-affected areas and meet government officials to see how our government can help people and the administration further. PM Narendra Modi’s government has responded fast and decisively to support the government of Tamil Nadu with almost 1000 crores and to deploy the Navy and Air Force for relief and rescue operations,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted on X.
The agenda of Chandrasekhar’s visit includes a comprehensive review of waterlogged areas, overseeing the distribution of relief materials, evaluating ongoing rescue missions and engaging with the residents who have been severely affected by the extensive waterlogging following the cyclone.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made an announcement regarding the donation of his one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to help Tamil Nadu’s recovery from Cyclone Michaung havoc. The Chief Minister has also called on all MPs and MLAs to do the same.
“I donate my one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for recovery from the Michaung storm disaster. I request all the members of the assembly and parliament to donate funds,” said MK Stalin in a statement.
Earlier on December 6, Stalin additionally wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an immediate interim relief fund of Rs 5,060 crores amid the destruction caused by Cyclone Michaung in Tamil Nadu. Stalin further requested the PM to send a central team to review the damages caused by the Cyclone in the state.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu IAS Officers’ Association has stepped forward to spread relief efforts in Chennai after Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc across the state capital. The association demonstrated its commitment to supporting the state government in the ongoing relief operations by contributing a day’s salary of its members to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, an official release stated.
Cyclone Michaung made landfall in Tamil Nadu earlier this month, bringing with it heavy rains, strong winds, and subsequent damages to infrastructure and homes, apart from the loss of lives. As the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of the severe cyclone, efforts are underway to extend necessary assistance to those affected.
In a briefing about the ongoing relief and restoration work in Chennai in the aftermath of the cyclone’s landfall, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena on December 7 said that 9,000 officials from other districts have been deployed in the city for relief work. He informed that the state government was trying to pump out stormwater from the low-lying areas.
There was some relief for citizens as the Chennai Police restored traffic on most roads in the city with continuous effort and coordination with other departments. Police were also seen in action in Adyar district as they undertook Milk distribution. The Police also pumped out water in VGP Selva Nagar, Velacherry, with coordination from other departments.
Police were also in action in Koyambedu District where food packets were distributed to the needy people affected in the flood in the New Colony Area. In Koyambedu District, Police teams distributed food to the needy people affected in the flood at Valasaravakkam.
Meanwhile, amid a flood-like situation in Chennai due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Michaung, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 7 assured all possible help from the Central Government adding that the first instalment of the Central share to the SDRF amounting to Rs 450 crore has been released.
ANI
