Chennai: Former AIADMK interim general secretary and late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's confidante Sasikala has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide relief to people affected by Cyclone Mandous.


In a statement on Saturday, Sasikala who is planning to align with deposed AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) said that relief should be provided to those who lost their homes and livelihood opportunities.


She said that fishermen were not able to venture into the seas for the past six days following the weather department warnings and added that they were suffering financial losses as they were unable to go out into the sea.


Sasikala called upon the government to look into the woes of the fisherfolk of Nagapattinam, Mahabalipuram, Pudukottai areas.


The former AIADMK leader also claimed that several relief centres were closed in many parts of the state and called upon the state government to ensure that relief homes are functioning properly as heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).


Also Read | Cyclone Mandous Makes Landfall, Several Flights Cancelled Amid Heavy Rain In Chennai. Key Points


Cyclone Mandous that touched ground at Mahabalipuram on Friday night has led to heavy and intense rains in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.


According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is expected to weaken into a depression by Saturday morning and move in West-North-West direction.


In Chennai alone, 300 trees were uprooted due to the cyclonic storm and a large workforce was deployed to cut and remove the fallen trees to prevent disruption of traffic.


The public transport system is hit by incessant rains and inundation in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Holidays are declared in 27 districts of Tamil Nadu for educational institutions, including schools and colleges.


IMD officials said that heavy to very heavy rains are expected to occur in Villupuram, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Chennai, and Salem districts.

Kanceehpuram and Chengalpattu districts will also receive heavy rains on Saturday.