New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS): To help Tamil Nadu in providing relief to the people affected by cyclone 'Gaja', the Centre has cleared Rs 353.70 crore to the state, said the Home Ministry on Saturday.

"Based on an interim memorandum submitted by Tamil Nadu for additional assistance, the Centre formed an inter-ministerial team, which visited the GAJA-affected areas between November 23 and 27," the Ministry said in a statement.

"The Union Home Minister on Friday has approved to release of the second installment of the Central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to Rs 353.70 crore as an interim relief to help the state in providing relief measures to the affected people," it said.

Assistance will be provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), based on the final report of IMCT, it added.

About a dozen districts of the state were severely affected by the cyclonic storm, which took place on the intervening night of November 15-16.