The day after cyclone Vardah: As it happened

Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam wrote to PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, seeking immediate release of Rs 1,000 crore from National Disaster Response Fund as cyclone relief.

Rescue and relief operations

Chennai: Eighteen people were killed in six districts of Tamil Nadu in rain-related incidents linked to Cyclone Vardah that crossed the coast, as Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a meeting of top officials on Tuesday to speed up work to ensure return of normalcy in storm-hit regions.

The government said it is taking all steps to ensure that the jammed mobile phone networks are restored and a meeting of telecom operators and officials was held.

"A total of 18 persons were killed in rain-related incidents linked to Cyclone Vardah," a top Tamil Nadu government official monitoring the situation told PTI.

He said five each were killed in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts. Four persons died in Kancheepuram district, one each in Villupuram and Nagapattinam districts and two in Tiruvannamali district, the officials added.

All these deaths were in the revenue districts.

13 December 2016

21:51 IST

Tamil Nadu CM Panneerselvam writes to PM Modi requesting to depute a team to study extensive damages caused by cyclonic storm.

Honourable CM Thiru.O.Panneerselvam urges PM Modi for 'on account' grant of 1000cr for relief, restoration works in areas hit by Cyclone.

— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) December 13, 2016

21:51 IST

16 people lost their lives in cyclone Vardah. Families of deceased will be given 4 Lakh each from state disaster relief fund, says TN government.