CM grants Rs 25 crore for relief, restoration

CHENNAI: Just as intense efforts are on to trace the missing fishermen from Kanniyakumari district, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and requested him to engage helicopters of the Navy and Coast Guard for the search.

Besides, the Chief Minister also granted `25 crore towards immediate relief and restoration works in Kanniyakumari district and directed officials to bring situation back to normal in the cyclone-affected areas.

The Union Home Minister enquired with the Chief Minister about the impact of Cyclone Ockhi in Tamil Nadu and the damage caused by it. The Chief Minister explained the havoc played by the cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. A majority of fishermen caught in mid-sea had been rescued by the State Fisheries department and Coast Guard by their joint efforts, he told the Union Minister.

Palaniswami said the Centre should extend more help by providing helicopters and Rajnath Singh promised all assistance.

Meanwhile, in a statement here, the Chief Minister said many government departments had been engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war-footing.

In Kanniyakumari district, roads and highways in both rural and urban areas have been damaged in hundreds of places.

Besides, trees have been uprooted in many places. Due to this, the electricity infrastructure have been affected severely.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited and agriculture, horticulture, public works, highways, municipal administration, rural development and revenue departments have been integrating their efforts to restore conditions in cyclone-affected areas.