The North News
New Delhi, February 19
The Centre government has approved Rs 1,554.99 crore in additional disaster relief for five states affected by floods, landslides, and cyclonic storms in 2024. The funding, sanctioned by a high-level committee led by Home Minister Amit Shah, comes under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The worst-hit states—Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana, and Tripura—will receive varying amounts, with Andhra Pradesh allocated the largest share at ₹608.08 crore. The assistance, however, is subject to an adjustment of 50 percent of the opening balance available in each state’s disaster relief fund.
The additional aid supplements earlier financial support from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). During the 2024-25 financial year, the central government has already distributed ₹18,322.80 crore to 27 states through SDRF and an additional ₹4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 states. The government said it had deployed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to assess the damage immediately after the disasters, even before receiving formal requests from state governments.
The move underscores the Modi administration’s efforts to support states grappling with climate-related disasters, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years.
