NEW DELHI: The Indian government has approved Rs.1554.99 crore to help five states hit by floods, landslides, and cyclonic storms in 2024. The decision was made by a high-level committee led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Out of this amount, according to an official statement, it is said Andhra Pradesh will receive Rs.608.08 crore, Nagaland Rs.170.99 crore, Odisha Rs.255.24 crore, Telangana Rs.231.75 crore, and Tripura Rs.288.93 crore, 

Amit Shah posted on social media X, saying,  Narendra Modi government stands firmly with those affected by disasters. Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved Rs.1554.99 crore for these five states under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This is in addition to Rs.18,322.80 crore already given to 27 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)."

This newly approved aid will be adjusted with 50% of the available funds in the SDRF. It is an extra financial help apart from the funds already given to states under SDRF.

In 2024-25, the Centre has released Rs.18,322.80 crore to 27 states through SDRF, Rs.4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 states, Rs.2,208.55 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 14 states, and Rs.719.72 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to eight states.

The government had also sent special teams to assess the damage in these states soon after the disasters, without waiting for formal requests.

The governement earlier also had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams to these states, right away after the calamities, without waiting for receipt of formal memorandums, it adds.

Why No aid for Wayanad, Kerala?

Meanwhile, in July 2024, more about  500 people were killed  in a massive landslide in Mundakkai-Churalmala in Wayanad district. Hundreds of people were evacuated. But Wayanad in Kerala is not on the list of central assistance.

The Centre has refused to provide a grant for the rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide victims, instead, sanctioning an interest-free loan of Rs 529.50 crore to the Kerala government under the Special Assistance to States Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI).