Cyclone Amphan: Govt Releases Rs 1,000 Crore to West Bengal & 500 Crore for Odisha

The Centre has released Rs 1,000 crore to the West Bengal government, as declared by PM Narendra Modi, and a team of the Union government will go to the state soon to check the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan.

Also, the rescue-and-relief operations in West Bengal were discussed at a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), which was headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. As per an official statement, a sum of Rs 1,000 crore has already been released to the state government, which was announced by the PM Modi after his aerial survey and review of the relief efforts with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The statement further added, the Ministry of Home Affairs will be sending a team to the state soon to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.

The NCMC met for the 5th time in connection with the natural calamity continuing with the coordination efforts & restoration measures in the areas of West Bengal affected by the cyclone. The chief secretary of West Bengal has thanked the Centre for its support given for relief & restoration.

Government Action Plan for Bengal after Cyclone:

• Restoration of the power & telecommunication infrastructure was considered as a priority in the cyclone-affected areas of the state.

• Though, telecom connectivity has been restored in most areas, the damage to the local power distribution network has affected the restoration of complete supply in few areas.

• Central agencies are deployed, along with teams from neighbouring states.

• The Army has also been pressed into service in Kolkata for helping in road clearances, along with teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

• The cabinet secretary has advised that complete power connectivity, telecom service with drinking water supplies need to be restored on a priority basis in the state.

• The central agencies are ready to provide any more assistance that may be required by the state. Also, sufficient stocks of foodgrains have been kept ready for supply.

Source: NDTV