Pained by Tamil Nadu devastation: PM Modi

Chennai, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he was pained by the devastation caused by floods in Tamil Nadu, and announced an immediate relief of Rs.1,000 crore to the state.

"We are all pained by the devastation in Tamil Nadu. Took stock of the damage, on the ground and through an aerial survey," Modi tweeted.

He said he had seen the damage and misery caused by the "extremely heavy rainfall", which authorities said was the heaviest to hit the state in 100 years.

"The government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of need."

Modi, who flew into Chennai earlier in the day, said he had directed that Rs.1,000 crore be released by the central government to Tamil Nadu for providing immediate relief to the flood victims.

This was over and above the Rs.940 crore released earlier, he said. Modi discussed the situation with Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Officials said at least 269 people have died in the torrential rains and unprecedented floods which have brought the whole of Chennai under a sheet of water.

The floods have also killed 54 people in Andhra Pradesh and two in Puducherry.

IANS