PM Modi arrives in Mangalore, Karnataka to review relief operations for cyclone ‘Ockhi’
Bengaluru, December 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today arrived in Mangalore, Karnataka to review the situation left behind by cyclone Ockhi. The Prime Minister will also visit and monitor the status of relief operations at Kavaratti (capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep), Kanyakumari and Trivandrum, Kerala.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were caught unaware by the sudden and unprecedented cyclone ‘Ockhi’ in the Arabian Sea on 30th November which claimed 88 lives including 70 in Kerala and 18 in Tamil Nadu while many are still reported missing in the sea.
The government agencies at the Centre and the affected States swung into action. The situation was constantly monitored and rescue and relief operations were conducted. Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, NDRF and local Government agencies joined in the search and rescue operations.
Government has set up 112 relief camps including 29 in Tamil Nadu, 52 in Kerala and 31 in Lakshadweep for those suffering in the aftermath of cyclonic storm ‘Ockhi’. Relief material and supplies were provided to inmates in relief camps set up by the government agencies. State Governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep administration also took prompt action in dealing with the situation.
The Central Government deployed 13 Ships, 4 Aircrafts and 1 Helicopter of Coast Guard, 10 Ships, 4 Aircraft and 5 Helicopters of Navy and 1 Aircraft and 3 Helicopters of Air Force for rescue and relief. The Navy has provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to people affected by cyclone ‘Ockhi’ in Lakshadweep. Navy ships carried the relief material to the island of Minicoy and also to Kavaratti and Kalpeni islands.
Center has released 2nd installment of State Disaster Relief Fund, SDRF to the Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the current financial year of 2017-18 to supplement the efforts of State Government in dealing with the natural calamity including cyclonic storm ‘‘Ockhi’’. During the financial year 2017-18, amount of central share of SDRF to State Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu is Rs. 153 crore and Rs. 561 crore respectively.
