CPI national secretary D Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Chennai should not remain "only a stock taking exercise" and expected things to move "swiftly" on ground in view of "unforeseen" problems, likely to surface when water levels recede.
Raja joined another Left outfit, CPI(ML), on the demand that Tamil Nadu be declared a "national disaster-hit" state.
"A central team had paid visit to rain-hit areas of the state earlier. But given the current condition, Centre must send a team again there for fresh assessment and provide adequate assistance. Modi Government must respond quickly to the demands coming from the state," Raja said.
Raja expressed concerns over damage to crops and was
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apprehensive that exports from the state may also get hit.
"The rains will have cascading effect," Raja noted and said he will take up the issue in Parliament again.
At least 245 people have died in rain-related incidents since October 1 in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai and its suburbs and Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts took a pounding on Tuesday when a large number of areas were flooded. The deluge destroyed crucial road and rail links, shutdown the airport, snapped power and telecom lines and left lakhs of people stranded.
In a big relief to the hapless residents, supply of milk and vegetables picked up pace today but there were complaints of scarcity in several places coupled with high prices for essentials.