Modi announces ₹500 crore advance assistance for cyclone-hit Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 22) announced an advance assistance of ₹500 crore for Odisha after he undertook an aerial survey of the areas in the state that were ravaged by cyclone Amphan. He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those seriously injured due to the cyclone.

Modi held a review meeting in Bhubaneswar with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi, and senior officials after conducting the aerial survey. The prime minister said further assistance will be provided for long-term rehabilitation measures after getting a detailed report from the state government.

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Modi, who undertook the aerial survey by a special air force chopper along with Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi Lal, toured districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj for about 90 minutes.

The prime minister said that though the Odisha government has been able to save lives by undertaking preparations well in advance, the cyclone has caused damage to housing, power and infrastructure, besides the agriculture sector while moving towards West Bengal.

Complimenting the people of Odisha, administration and the chief minister for saving lives, Modi said the disaster posed a serious challenge before the state as it struck at a time when everyone is engaged in a formidable battle against COVID-19.

Cyclone Amphan, which rolled past the Odisha coast and made a landfall in the Sunderbans on Wednesday, has caused damage to houses, power infrastructure, agricultural crops and horticulture sector in four coastal districts and parts of northern Mayurbhanj.

(With inputs from agencies)

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