Cyclone Vardah: Tamil Nadu asks Centre to release Rs 1,000 cr for rehabilitation

The Tamil Nadu government has asked the Centre to release Rs 1,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund to provide immediate assistance to the state for carrying out rehabilitation work following cyclone Vardah that killed 10 people.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has written a letter to the Prime Minister informing him about the cyclone and the trail of destruction it left behind in several districts including Vellore, Thiruvannamalai and  Dharmapuri. 

Thanking the Centre for providing assistance for relief and rescue work, Panneerselvam further asked the Prime Minister to set up a team that will review the extent of damages in the aftermath of the storm. 

Several state authorities teamed up to conduct rescue operations. Eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed in various parts of the state to help evacuate people from coastal areas. Local bodies were also mobilised to make necessary interventions.  

Services of the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard were also offered to carry out rescue and relief work. 

More than 15,000 persons were evacuated to 104 relief camps and provided with food, water, medical services and other essential services. 

According to the Chief Minister, the cyclone has uprooted more than 12,000 trees disrupting traffic in the entire city and its suburbs. 

It caused extensive damage to road infrastructure. Due to the extensive damage caused to transmission lines, sub-stations, transformers and distribution lines, power supply was cut off in most of Chennai and parts of Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts. More than 10,000 electric poles were left mangled and more than 800 transformers were damaged. 

According to state authorities, the immediate priority is the restoration of electricity supply. 

State authorities are currently assessing the damages and fund requirements following the calamity. A detailed assessment will be prepared within 2 to 3 days, said the Chief Minister.