‘Centre has declared TN floods severe calamity’

The Centre has declared the recent floods in Tamil Nadu as a ‘calamity of severe nature’, with parliamentarians being informed that they can recommend renovation and rehabilitation efforts to the tune of Rs one crore from MPLADS, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said on Thursday. “Heeding my request, the central government has declared the floods (and resultant) damage as Calamity of Severe Nature,” she said in a statement here. The Centre’s announcement came after she made made a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi here last week, seeking that the floods be declared as “National Disaster,” she said.