According to the Tamil Nadu government, about 14.6 lakh people were provided free food in the relief camps and about 1.28lakh people were provided food in Amma Unavagams due to heavy rains on 16th and 17th of October.
As per the press release from the TN govt, TN chief minister had announced that due to the red alert threat people would be provided free food at Amma Unavagams on 16th and 17th October. This announcement was of huge help for many poor as they were unable to go for work due to heavy rains.
On 16th October, Amma Unavagams provided idli and pongal to the people in the morning and various mixed rice dishes in the afternoon. As many as 78557 people benefited from this free food distribution at Amma Unavagams. About 29319 poor people were provided chapatis in the evening. Many people who ate food appreciated the efforts of the chief minister to supply free food during heavy rains.
It is worthy to note that Mr. Udayanidhi Stalin, deputy chief minister made his presence felt at places like Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram districts and expedited the rain relief works. He also gave orders to fulfil the needs of the people present in those places.
In 542 places in Chennai, there was water stagnation due to heavy rain. Motor pumps were used by the Chennai Corporation employees to pump out the water. Point is that the chief minister appreciated these employees for their huge efforts.
To protect the public living in low lying places in Chennai, about 300 relief camps or centres were set up. Free food, clothing and drinking water etc was provided to these people also during rains. In Chennai, medical camps were organised and medical assistance was provided to as many as 17471 people in Chennai.