Cyclone Amphan: PM Modi announces Rs 500 crore advance assistance to Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced Rs 500 crore advance assistance for Odisha to carry out immediate relief and restoration works in the districts ravaged by cyclone Amphan.

Modi further stated that soon a central team will visit Odisha to review the situation and further assistance will be released based on the final report submitted by the state government.

Modi also lauded Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his team for minimising loss of human lives during cyclone Amphan.

The Prime Minister took stock of the devastation caused by cyclone Amphan in Odisha by undertaking an aerial survey of the affected districts. He was accompanied by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Later, he held a review meeting with senior officials of Odisha government. Two Union Ministers- Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi were also present during the review meeting.

“Modi Govt has always stood with the people of Odisha in the past and will stand shoulder to shoulder with Odisha, especially during difficult times. Thank PM Modi for providing Rs 500 crore assistance to Odisha for combating Cyclone Amphan. This will help the state govt in providing immediate relief to the affected people and further strengthen relief and rehabilitation in the cyclone-hit regions,” tweeted Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Modi reached Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) after an aerial survey in West Bengal which bore the maximum brunt of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan. He said that Rs 1,000 crore would be provided by the Centre as immediate assistance to battle the crisis.

The Prime Minister also said that Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased persons while those who suffered serious injuries will get Rs 50,000 each for necessary treatment.

Expressing concern about people’s well-being in the wake of devastation caused by cyclone Amphan, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “I spoke to Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Patnaik and conveyed to them that in this hour of crisis the nation stands united in supporting the affected people in every possible way. I pray and hope that the region will emerge stronger from this crisis soonest.”

The extremely severe cyclone Amphan made landfall in West Bengal on Wednesday afternoon with the wind speed gusting to 180 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfall, causing extensive damage in several parts of the State. At least 80 people have lost their lives due to the cyclone, sources said.