Saying that he was deeply pained and moved by the plight of the flood-hit people of Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath of the devastating tropical cyclone “Michaung”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that the Centre stands with them at this difficult time and would extend every possible support to the state government to help bring them back on track.
Addressing a public event in Tiruchirappalli on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “2023 may be behind us now but the last few weeks of the year gone by were especially difficult for the people of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rainfall and flooding in the aftermath of cyclone ‘Michaung’ claimed many lives.
There was also a significant loss of property. I was deeply moved seeing the desperate straits that the people were in because of the unrelenting rainfall and flooding after the storm. However, I am here to assure each and every one of you that our government (at the Centre) stands with you at this difficult time. We are providing every possible support to the state government and are willing to do more,” PM Modi said.
Significantly, during his address at the event, Chief Minister MK Stalin urged PM Modi to declare the Tamil Nadu floods as a national calamity and commit more central funds for the relief and rehabilitation of the marooned and affected residents.
“The floods in Chennai and our southern districts have not only destroyed public infrastructure but have also thrown countless lives haywire. I would request the central government to declare the floods as a national disaster,” CM Stalin said from the podium.
The state government and the Centre have jointly mobilised a massive rescue and relief operation to help the flood-affected people of the state.
Earlier, PM Modi assured full central support to Tamil Nadu and deputed Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to take stock of the situation.