3,200 die in TN, Centre pledges all help

The Tamil Nadu government was doing its best for those affected by the devastating tsunami and the Centre was ready to provide all requested assistance, including special financial aid, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in Chennai on Monday.

Patil reviewed the situation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The killer waves took a toll of more than 3,200 people in the southern state alone, with Nagapattinam accounting for 1,700 deaths

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"The state government is doing its best. We are also willing to provide all requested assistance," Patil, who arrived in Chennai to take account of the destruction in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

He said the state was now looking for logistic and transport facilities like aircraft and helicopters for rescue operations.

"We are too willing to provide it," he said.

As far as special financial assistance was concerned, the Centre would be providing it, Patil said adding that he would undertake a tour of the affected areas to make an on the spot assessment and take a decision.

Soon after his arrival, Patil met the chief minister and her cabinet colleagues.

Patil also undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas in south coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning before proceeding to Tamil Nadu.

Patil, who had arrived in the city on Sunday night, met Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and reviewed the devastation caused by the tsunami.

He assured AP that "whatever help and assistance is required from the Centre, we will give it to you."

He said that the Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force had been asked to help. Ships had also been deployed to help in rescue operations. Six helicopters had been made available to drop food packets and other material.