Home Ministry to send Central team to assess cyclone damage in Bengal

The Centre has released relief to the West Bengal government and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be sending a team soon to assess the damage caused by super cyclone Amphan. National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Guaba met for the fifth time on Monday to discuss coordination efforts and restoration measures in cyclone-hit West Bengal.

The Cabinet Secretary also suggested that the West Bengal government officials might indicate their additional requirements if any and directed officers of Central ministries/agencies to work in close coordination with the state government to provide required assistance expeditiously. As announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his aerial survey and review of relief efforts with the West Bengal government, a sum of Rs 1,000 crore has already been released to the state government.

Noting the progress made in the restoration work, the Cabinet Secretary advised that complete power connectivity, telecom service and drinking water supplies need to be restored on a priority basis. Central agencies are ready to provide any further assistance that may be required by the state. Adequate stocks of food grains have been kept ready for supply. The Chief Secretary of West Bengal thanked the Centre for the support provided for relief and restoration.

Restoration of power and telecommunication infrastructure was stated to be a priority in its cyclone affected areas. While telecom connectivity has been reinstated in most areas, damages to the local power distribution network have affected the restoration of complete supply in some areas. Central agencies are deployed in these efforts along with teams from neighbouring states. Meanwhile, the Army has been deployed in Kolkata to help in carrying out road clearances along with teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).