CHENNAI: The inter-ministerial team from the Centre, which visited the rain-ravaged parts of Chennai on Thursday, will submit its assessment report to the Union Home Ministry in a week’s time, said sources in the team, adding that it felt there were visible damages and that necessary assistance would be provided to the State Government.
“Though we cannot come to any conclusion now, there is no doubt that there are damages... The Centre would provide assistance to the State,” said the official, who was part of the central team, which then visited various flood-hit localities like Tambaram, CTO Colony, Mudichur, Rajakilpakkam and Velachery.
Before embarking on their visit, the team led by TVSN Prasad, joint secretary in the Home Ministry, called on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who urged them to make an in-depth assessment of the damages suffered by the State during their visit to these places, so that the Centre could release financial assistance at the earliest. The Tamil Nadu government has urged the Centre to provide relief under the National Disaster Response Fund.
“We will hand over our report to the Union Home Ministry for the purpose,” sources said.
The visit came even as the forecast is for heavy to very heavy rains during the weekend if the upper air circulation transforms into a low pressure area by Friday.
“We are visiting Cuddalore on Friday, where we are likely to spend the whole day,” the official said. Cuddalore is one of the districts worst affected in the rains this time. The day after, the team would return to carry out inspections in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts.
Tamil Nadu has sought Rs 8,481 crore towards immediate relief, restoration works in rain-hit districts, while the Centre had allocated Rs 939.63 crore to meet the immediate requirements.
The Centre has deputed the team to Tamil Nadu to make a first-hand assessment of the damage.
Holiday for 24 city schools till nov 29
Twenty-four schools across the city, closed due to water-logging will resume classes from Monday (November 30). Chennai Collector E Sundaravalli announced on Thursday that these schools would be granted holidays till Sunday, November 29.