TN Rains: Stalin writes to Rajnath Singh for intervention

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday urged Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy more helicopters for the rescue and relief distribution to the stranded people in marooned southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Seeking Mr Singh’s intervention to support the relief and rescue operations in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts that received unprecedented rainfall in the last two days, Stalin, in his demi-official letter to the defence minister, said, “As of now four helicopters from Air Force, two from Navy and Coast Guard are being deployed for rescue of stranded people and to drop food items for the marooned. Given the enormity of the disaster and the large number of habitations to be covered, we need more helicopters for rescue and relief distribution. Hence, I request your urgent intervention to deploy the maximum number of helicopters immediately.”

Citing the moibilization of state government officers, SDRF and NDRF teams for rescue and relief operations, Stalin said that relief material mobiilized from all over the state could not be distributed to the people since the connecting roads have been inundated and the people could only be through helicopters.

Adding that some locations in the two districts have received their highest rainfall recorded since 1871 and around 40 lakh people living in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts have been very badly affected due to it, the CM said the situation was particularly extremely serious in Srivaikuntam and Thoothukudi towns due to large flooding in Tamirabarani river and adjoining areas.

(With inputs from Bureau)