Seeking immediate relief for the devastation caused in Tamil Nadu by Cyclone Fengal, Dravida Muennetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader T.R. Baalu urged the Centre to send an assessment team to the State.

Raising the matter in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Mr. Baalu said the fury of the cyclone had caused heavy damage in 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, and Chengalpattu. He said 12 persons had lost their lives while 1.5 crore people had been severely affected.

Elaborating on the extent of damage caused, the DMK leader said 9,576 kilometres of roads and 1,847 small bridges had been damaged. “About 2,416 huts have been washed away, 721 houses have been damaged, and about 963 cattle have died,” he said.

Mr. Baalu added that 5,936 school buildings, 4,269 Anganwadi centres, 1,650 panchayat buildings, and 381 community centres too had been damaged in the cyclone.

“Taking into consideration all the damage that has occurred in Tamil Nadu, I would request the honourable Prime Minister of India to kindly send a team there so that a central team can go there and assess the situation,” Mr. Baalu said.

While Congress’ Manickam Tagore also made a similar demand for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi said, “The Chief Minister has requested for ₹2,000 crore. As soon as possible, the relief fund should be released at least this time.”