The Tamil Nadu floods have been declared a "calamity of severe nature" by the Centre, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said on Thursday. She added that funds from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme to the extent of Rs 1 crore can be utilised for works in flood-affected districts of the state.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader also said that the Parliament secretariat has issued a circular to MPs in this regard, reported The Times of India. "I request all AIADMK MPs to contribute Rs 1 crore from the MPLADS towards this," she said. There has been no confirmation from the Centre on the matter yet.

On Wednesday, Jayalalithaa had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the floods in the state to be declared a national calamity. She also proposed measures that could help alleviate people’s suffering, PTI reported.