Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Kolkata, West Bengal to review damage in the State due to the extremely severe cyclone Amphan.
On the 20th of May, Amphan, termed as an extremely severe cyclone entered the land of West Bengal around 3:30 P.M., While Amphan entered Digha, West Bengal with an intensity of 190 kmph, it made a landfall in Kolkata around 7:00 P.M., with a speed of 180 -185 kmph.
As of 22nd of May, 72 lives were claimed and more than 5,000 houses were washed away due to cyclone and wind in Kolkata, West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal said the State witnessed a damage of Rs. 1 lakh crores due to the cyclone in the worst hit areas of Sundarbans, Digha, Medinipur and Kolkata. Ms. Banerjee announced a relief fund of Rs. 1 crore for Amphan and announced Rs. 2.5 lakhs for the deceased’s families.
On the 21st of May, Ms. Banerjee conducted a State Secretariat meeting and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the affected areas. Ms. Banerjee said, “It is a huge loss and I would request the Central government and all others to extend help and cooperate with us. Our Union Home Minister called me on (the) phone this afternoon. We spoke about the devastation and he assured all help. I would also request the Prime Minister to visit and carry out a surveillance of Sunderbans and adjoining areas.”
Mr. Modi arrived at Kolkata airport and would conduct an aerial survey of the devastation by Cyclone Amphan. Later in the day, Mr. Modi would conduct a review meeting with the officials of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Stay tuned for further updates.
