Chennai: Revenue administration and disaster management minister K K S S R Ramachandran on Thursday said 15,270 crore was spent on disaster relief, response, preparedness and capacity building and mitigation over the past four years, including funds allocated for Covid-19 response and relief activities. This is 160% over and above the sum of 5,863 crore allocated by Union and state govts under State Disaster Risk Management Fund.
Replying to the debate on demand for grants for the department, Ramachandran said the previous AIADMK govt sought 1.4 lakh crore in central assistance during its 10-year tenure, receiving 6,687 crore. DMK govt, in contrast, requested 50,812 crore for damages but received only 629 crore. “Even when you (AIADMK) asked, they gave less funds; even when we (DMK) asked, they gave us less funds,” he said. State govt enhanced relief assistance in Dec 2023 to the affected people exceeding established norms, given the severity of recent disasters.
Citing the July landslide in Wayanad, state govt has launched a comprehensive scientific study to assess the impact of heavy rainfall and landslide risks in hilly areas. This study, entrusted to the Council for Energy, Environment and Water, New Delhi, will cover the Nilgiris, Valparai, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, and Yelagiri. The findings will help evolve mitigation measures during disasters.
To improve weather forecasting accuracy and cyclone tracking, govt plans to install two C-Band Doppler Weather Radars. These installations are planned for Ramanathapuram and Yercaud, enhancing coverage in southern and north interior districts, the minister said. The Union govt has approved Tamil Nadu’s proposal for 111 crore in funding under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) scheme for catalytic assistance to 12 drought-prone states, including Tamil Nadu.
Ramachandran indicated that these funds are expected soon.