Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil [Images] on Sunday assured the Tamil Nadu government that the Centre will release funds to carry out rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas immediately.

After visiting the affected areas at Suryanagar on Madurai's [Images] outskirts, Patil said a team of central ministers will give their assessment to the prime minister.

Initially, funds will released for immediate relief and rescue operations, he said.

Besides, a central team will also visit the state and submit its report, he said.

He added the report also be taken into consideration while releasing the funds.

However, he declined to disclose the amount that will be given.

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The minister, accompanied by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Union Minister of State for Home S Raghupathy, will also take an aerial survey of Ramanathapuram, Sivagana and Tiruchirappalli districts later.

Patil said a Disaster Management Bill will soon be introduced in Parliament.

The provisions in the bill will help the states to undertake disaster management measures at a faster pace. All the states will be requested to adopt the bill. The states can make minor changes to the bill to suit their needs without deviating from the main provisions and objectives of the bill, he said.

"The plans for disaster management will be kept ready and measures will be taken in such away that hardships are lessened and losses mitigated," he said.