Chennai, Dec 7 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government requestedthe Centre today to declare the cyclone in Kanyakumaridistrict a 'national Disaster' and provide "necessaryfinancial assistance" for restoration of infrastructure.
The magnitude of the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi inthe district is "humongous" and requires immediateintervention by the central government, Chief Minister E KPalaniswami said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday.
"As an immediate measure, the Cyclone Ockhi that severelyaffected Kanyakumari district may be declared as nationaldisaster and necessary financial assistance may be providedfor the restoration of the infrastructure", he said.
Stating that his government swung into action to restorenormalcy in the district and initiated a detailed assessmentof the damage caused, Palaniswami said that a detailed"memorandum" would be submitted to the Centre "separately".
"In this hour of crisis, we need your immediatebenevolent support," he said.
Referring to his meeting with the local chiefs of thearmed forces yesterday on search operations for fishermen whohad ventured into sea before cyclone crossed the coast,Palaniswami said he requested them to continue search andrescue operations "till the last fisherman was rescued".
Palaniswami also requested Modi to direct the defenceministry to continue the search and rescue operations. PTI VIJSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.