New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dialled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in connection with the ongoing flood situation in the state. He has assured to provide all necessary help to manage the crisis, government sources have said.
Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin had hit out at the Central government for not allowing MPs to discuss the Cyclone Fengal’s impact in Parliament. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he reportedly said that in Parliament, MPs were not allowed to speak about Cyclone Fengal. “As part of our responsibility, we are assessing the damages and will send a report. That is our duty and responsibility. It is also their responsibility to respond, but they are refusing to do so. Despite this, we are doing our best,” CM Stalin had said as reported by ANI.
On Saturday night, Cyclone Fengal made landfall along the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, causing heavy rainfall and wreaking widespread havoc in the state and Union Territory. By Sunday, the cyclone weakened into a deep depression.
All schools, colleges in 4 districts to stay shut
All schools and colleges in four districts of Tamil Nadu will stay closed on Tuesday because of the torrential rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued rainfall from the cyclonic storm, forcing the closure of schools and colleges in Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Puducherry districts. In other districts, such as Ranipet, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai, only schools will remain closed. In Kallakurichi, schools under Thirukovilur town, and in Krishnagiri, schools under Pechampalli, Uthangarai Taluk will also remain shut due to the rains.
Rescue operations on a war-footing
Amid the crisis, 18 rescue teams, consisting of 493 personnel, are on their toes across the affected districts. In Villupuram district, 407 personnel from seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams — 15 teams in total — are working on relief operations. In Cuddalore, 56 personnel from the NDRF and SDRF are working actively, while in Tiruvannamalai, a 30-member team is carrying out rescue efforts.
