Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin held a review meeting on Tuesday with ministers overseeing relief efforts in flood-affected districts, including Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, and Cuddalore, following the devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal.
During the meeting, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and other senior ministers via video conference, CM Stalin announced a series of relief measures and compensations for those affected by the heavy rains and flooding.
Relief and Compensation Announced
- Ex-Gratia for Families:
- ₹5 lakh compensation for families of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
- ₹10,000 compensation for damaged houses, with priority reconstruction under the Kalaignar Dream House Scheme.
- Crop and Livestock Damages:
- ₹17,000 per hectare for paddy crops damaged by 33% or more.
- ₹22,500 per hectare for perennial crops and trees.
- ₹8,500 per hectare for other crop types.
- Compensation of ₹37,500 for lost bulls or cows, ₹4,000 for goats, and ₹100 for hens.
- Support for Livelihoods:
- Ration cardholders in flood-hit areas will receive ₹2,000 in aid.
- Special camps will be established to assist residents in replacing lost voter ID cards, ration cards, and other identity proofs.
- Free textbooks will be provided for school students in affected regions.
Central Support and Coordination
Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted CM Stalin to inquire about the damages and assured all possible central assistance to Tamil Nadu. CM Stalin reiterated his request for a central team to assess the damages caused by Cyclone Fengal and emphasized the ongoing relief efforts by the state government.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to me over the phone and inquired about the severe damage caused in Tamil Nadu by Cyclone Fengal,” CM Stalin stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Tragic Landslide in Thiruvannamalai
In a separate incident, CM Stalin announced ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of seven victims, including five children, who lost their lives in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Thiruvannamalai district.
The victims were identified as Rajkumar and his wife Meena, who were residents of VOC Nagar. Relief measures are underway in the affected area.
Ongoing Efforts
The Tamil Nadu government continues to prioritize rescue and relief efforts, aiming to restore normalcy in flood-hit regions. The compensation and reconstruction measures are expected to provide immediate support to those affected, while collaboration with the central government will further strengthen recovery initiatives.