PM Modi assures support to CM Stalin as Tamil Nadu battles Cyclone Fengal’s floods; IMD aids recovery efforts statewide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin of full support as the state grapples with a devastating flood crisis triggered by Cyclone Fengal. During a phone call, PM Modi expressed solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu and pledged immediate assistance. The unprecedented flood situation in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai districts, has left communities struggling with widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods.
Cyclone Fengal’s Impact: Tamil Nadu Calls for Help
The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued warnings about the impact of Cyclone Fengal, but nothing could have prepared anyone for the scale of destruction. Heavy rains have flooded residential areas, cut off villages, and destroyed crops across the state. In Villupuram, floodwaters inundated roads and bridges, while a tragic mudslide in Tiruvannamalai resulted in the loss of five lives. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said that the state government had marshaled all available resources for relief efforts but insisted that central assistance was necessary to effectively handle the crisis.
CM Stalin’s Plea for Central Help
On Monday, CM Stalin met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, submitting a memorandum asking for Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund. He also sought Rs 2,475 crore in funds for temporary restoration work and sought the deployment of a central team to do an on-the-ground damage assessment. Mentioning the scale of the disaster, Stalin said state resources were not enough to fulfill short-term and long-term needs for recovery.
CM Stalin reiterated his appeal for relief through a post on X (formerly Twitter) and emphasized the necessity of federal support to mitigate the immense damage caused by the cyclone.
Role of the IMD in Monitoring and Forecasting
IM (the India Meteorological Department) performed critically in predicting Cyclone Fengal and alerting officials in Tamil Nadu. At any rate, the intensity caused several situations that were not expected; for example, the IMD was constantly observing the weather, alerting others to the updated status of relief operations at the site.
Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai: The Epicentre of Destruction
Villupuram district was most affected by Cyclone Fengal. The floodwater inundated roads and bridges that connected villages, cutting off entire villages. The local people were deprived of electricity, and properties, and suffered heavy damage to their agricultural lands. In Tiruvannamalai, the case of mudslide highlighted the gravity of the situation, and the local administration worked hard to provide relief to the affected people.
PM Modi Assures Swift Action
In the telephone call made to Chief Minister Stalin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the commitment of the Centre towards assisting Tamil Nadu to bounce back. He reassured the Chief Minister that a central team would be dispatched at the earliest date to survey the damage.
He further reiterated that efforts on relief and rehabilitation work could only gain pace through cooperation between the State and Central machinery.
Conclusion:
The flood situation in Tamil Nadu demands swift and coordinated action. With PM Modi’s assurance of support and CM Stalin’s proactive measures, the state is poised to navigate this crisis effectively. As the IMD continues its crucial role in monitoring weather patterns, the resilience of Tamil Nadu’s people and the collaboration between state and central governments will be instrumental in rebuilding lives and infrastructure.
This way, India portrays its collective strength in overcoming natural calamities, ensuring the future preparedness of Tamil Nadu.
