Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for flood relief operations in Chennai and other parts of the State which have been affected due to heavy rains.

She made the announcement after visiting some of the flood-affected areas in R K Nagar, Kolathur, Madhavaram and Ambattur in Chennai today.

R K Nagar is Jayalalithaa’s constituency, while Kolathur is the constituency of DMK Treasurer M K Stalin.

Jayalalithaa said that in Chennai, 587 places reported water-logging. Water had been pumped out in 207 places, while in the other 380 places, Corporation officials were trying to pump out the water. 16 relief camps had been set up for 5,335 persons who had been moved out of low-lying areas. 90,000 food packets had been distributed in 101 places, she added.

Addressing the people from her vehicle in R K Nagar constituency, she said the city had experienced rains in the three last days which it normally should receive over three months. Therefore, the rains were unprecedented and caused damage though government agencies had taken precautionary measures.

She also visited the constituency of DMK Treasurer M K Stalin, Kolathur, in surburban Chennai and assured the people of relief measures. Stalin had criticized the Chief Minister and the AIADMK for not taking adequate steps to prevent the flooding of Chennai and also not undertaking relief works, and had questioned why Jayalalithaa had not visited affected areas, including her own constituency.