The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned ₹944.80 crore as central assistance for Tamil Nadu from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support those affected by Cyclone Fengal. The announcement, made on Friday, comes less than a week after the cyclone made landfall on November 30, causing widespread damage across the state.
This financial aid underscores the commitment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to assist states in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry were severely impacted by Cyclone Fengal, prompting an on-the-spot damage assessment by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
The Ministry has assured that additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will be approved once the IMCT submits its comprehensive damage assessment report, adhering to established protocols.
According to the MHA, more than ₹21,718 crore has already been disbursed to 28 states this year to address various natural calamities. This includes ₹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 ₹646.55 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to seven states.
In addition to financial aid, the Central Government has provided logistical support to cyclone and flood-hit states, including the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, Army units, and Air Force support to assist with rescue and relief operations.
(Inputs from ANI)