Sunday, November 27 2005 09:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madurai: Arriving here with Home Minister P Shivraj Patil to undertake an aerial survey of flood affected areas of Tamil Nadu today (Nov 27, 2005), Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday (Nov 26, 2005) pledged all possible help to the state Government in undertaking rescue and relief operations.

After a brief discussion with officials of the flood-hit areas of South Tamil Nadu here, he said the size of relief would be decided based on the report to be submitted by a central team, which had already toured the state.

"It is time to rescue the people and provide relief," Chidambaram said adding the damage caused by the latest spell of rains and floods would also be assessed.

Union Minister of State for Home S Raghupathy also accompanied Chidambaram and Patil.

Chidambaram said they had come to get first hand information about the havoc caused by the rains. Chidambaram later left for Thiruvadanai in Ramanathapuram district where 50 people drowned when a bus was washed away in flash floods yesterday.

He said he would also visit other flood-affected areas in the nearby areas tonight.

He would return here tomorrow to join Patil and Raghupathy for undertaking the aerial survey.

Officials briefed Patil, Chidambaram and Raghupathy about the damage caused by the floods and showed video clippings and photographs of the affected areas.