Cyclone Fengal: Rahul Gandhi urges Congress workers to assist in relief work

NEW DELHI: In the wake of Cyclone Fengal causing devastating destruction, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday offered his condolences to the families of those affected and killed due to the accidents amid heavy downpours triggered by the cyclonic storm. He urged the Congress workers in Tamil Nadu to assist the administration in relief work.

“Devastating news of Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those whose homes and property have been damaged. I urge all Congress workers in the state to step forward and help the administration in relief efforts wherever possible”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, posted on X.

Devastating news of Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those whose homes and property have been damaged.

I urge all Congress workers in the state to step forward and help the…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 3, 2024

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in connection with the massive flooding in many districts of the state, government sources said. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all possible help and support to Tamil Nadu owing to the flooding caused by Cyclonic storm Fengal.

Meanwhile, CM Stalin reiterated his request for a central team to be deputed to assess the damages caused by the Cyclonic storm. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to me over the phone and inquired about the severe damage caused by Tamil Nadu on Cyclone Fengal”, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin posted on X.

The CM said that he told the Prime Minister about work being done by the Tamil Nadu government to provide relief to those affected by Cyclone Fengal. “I informed our Prime Minister that the state government is effectively dealing with the disaster and providing relief assistance to the affected people. I reiterated my letter requesting that a central team be sent to conduct a detailed assessment of the damages caused by cyclone Fengal, which has caused great suffering to the people of Tamil Nadu”, CM Stalin said.

“I firmly believe that the Prime Minister will immediately consider this request of Tamil Nadu and take appropriate steps”, CM Stalin posted on X. This came after CM Stalin urged PM Modi to release Rs 2,000 crores from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for restoration and rehabilitation work. He had urged the Union government to depute a central team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of damages.

All schools and colleges will remain closed in four districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall from Cyclone Fengal. “All schools in the Nilgiris district will be closed on December 3, 2024, given heavy rainfall,” announced District Magistrate Lakshmi Bhavya on Tuesday.

Earlier, Chief Minister M K Stalin announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of seven people who lost their lives in a landslide due to heavy downpour in Thiruvannamalai district. (ANI)