Both Houses of Parliament expressed grief over the loss of lives due to the floods in the South Eastern parts of the country.

While the elders pledged a part of the MPs local area fund to the flood affected areas, Lok Sabha members urged the Centre to dispatch more aid to Tamil Nadu considering the gravity of the situation.

In the Rajya Sabha, members of the DMK and the AIADMK showed rare unity during a brief discussion on the issue. Both the parties urged the Centre to announce the floods as a national calamity. Initiating the discussion, DMK leader Kanimozhi said the Centre should release more funds to the State.

She urged the government to air drop food and other materials since rescue teams were unable to reach many areas. She gave a picture of the situation before the elders and said hospitals, roads, airport and railway systems were in shambles in Chennai and the surrounding areas. She urged the Centre to help the Tamil Nadu government to deal with the situation.

In the Lok Sabha, AIADMK member TG Venkatesh Babu asked the Centre to immediately release funds to carry out relief operations. He demanded that the flood situation be considered a “national calamity”. He said the State has sought over ₹8,480 crore towards relief measures from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu assured the members that the Centre was taking all measures to help the State. “The Prime Minister has talked to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and offered to give all support,” he said and added that senior ministers are reviewing the situation closely.

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