Overview
- Chief Minister M. K. Stalin flagged off consignments from Chennai and Thoothukudi on December 6 for delivery to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
- The cargo includes sugar, lentils, milk powder, rice, dhotis, sarees, towels, blankets, and tarpaulins, with loads split across Navy vessels departing the two ports.
- Stalin presented a sample kit to Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner Ganesanathan Geathiswaran during the send-off, with senior state officials and naval officers in attendance.
- An official valued the goods at Rs 1.19 crore, and a similar Tuticorin shipment carrying 150 MT rice and 150 MT sugar was reported dispatched the same day.
- UN OCHA reports about 998,918 people affected and 212 deaths in Sri Lanka, as Tamil Nadu’s assistance follows its 2022 support and aligns with broader Indian Navy, Air Force, and NDRF relief efforts.