AMN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-ravaged areas of Odisha and announced additional central assistance of 1,000 crore rupees for relief works.
The Centre had earlier released in advance 381 crores for the state. Mr Modi undertook the aerial survey and took stock of the situation in Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accompanied the Prime Minister.
Talking to reporters, Mr Modi said, the Centre is committed to providing all possible efforts to Odisha for its restoration work.
He said, a central team will soon be visiting the state to assess the extent of loss and damage. Mr Modi promised compensation of 2 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and 50,000 for those injured due to the Cyclonic storm. He also lauded the state government in evacuating coastal areas to avoid loss of lives.
Underlining the need for coordination between the Centre and the states during times of crisis, Mr Modi said, a long-term plan will be prepared to deal with such disasters in future.
After the aerial survey, Mr Modi held a review meeting with Mr Patnaik and other senior officials and took stock of relief and restoration work.
Earlier, the Prime Minister spoke to Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Mr Patnaik over the phone and assured all possible help from the Centre.
Two days after Fani barreled through coastal Odisha, the death toll due to the extremely severe storm has risen to 38. Maximum deaths have been reported from Puri followed by Mayurbhanj and Khurda district.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is distributing relief material to the affected people in the city from today. As decided by the State government, under the scheme, each family covered under the National Food Security Act in the city will be provided 50 kgs of rice, 2,000 rupees financial assistance and 500 rupees to purchase polythene sheets.
The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha, yesterday reviewed the relief measures in affected areas of Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.