Monday, December 27 2004 21:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Describing the situation in Tamil Nadu as "grave," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (Dec 27, 2004) said the Centre would not be found wanting in helping the States, affected by the Tsunami waves.

After making an aerial survey of the affected areas of Tamil Nadu, he told reporters tonight that the State bore the brunt of the Tsunami and the situation was 'grave.'

Poor people had suffered a lot and most of the dead were the old, women and children.

In Tamil Nadu, 2,367 persons were killed, 69 in Andhra Pradesh, 300 in Pondicherry and 77 in Andaman and Nicobar islands, he said adding the figure would go up as the number of people missing were high.

The Centre would extend all help to affected States.

The Centre had announced a Rs.500 crore financial assistance to the affected States and Tamil Nadu would get its due share as it was the worst affected, he said.

He said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had asked for technical assistance, which would be met, adding, she wanted more assistance for rehabilitation work, which would be considered by the Centre.

He appreciated the relief work undertaken by the Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Pondicherry Governments.

Earlier in the day, he made an aerial survey of the affected areas of Chennai, Cuddalore, Pondicherry and Nagapattinam. He would be visiting Kerala tomorrow.