Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, urging Mr. Modi to declare Cyclone Michaung and the torrential downpour in the southern districts as national calamities.
Mr. Stalin briefed the Prime Minister on the cyclone that caused widespread devastation in Chennai and its surrounding districts and the measures undertaken by the State government on a war footing. Stating that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Central team had visited Chennai earlier this month, he urged Mr. Modi to release interim relief funds of ₹7,033 crore and a permanent relief fund of ₹12,659 crore soon, a press release said.