The Central government is sending a special team to West Bengal to evaluate the damage caused in the state from cyclone Amphan. The cyclone made landfall in Bengal on May 20 evening and caused death and devastation in 16 districts of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bengal two days later and held a meeting with chief minister Mamata Banerjee, apart from doing an aerial survey of the affected areas. He had announced an “advance interim assistance” to Bengal for relief and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the cyclone. “Rs 1,000 crore advance assurance will be given to West Bengal,” he had said.
The cyclone led to over 90 deaths, damaged homes, agricultural land, and ravaged the city of Kolkata where apart from damaged homes, thousands of trees and electrical poles were uprooted. Banerjee had said earlier that the losses were estimated to Rs 1 lakh crore. The PM had assured Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 to each of the injured.
The Central government’s release of funds is preceded by a visit by a team of officials who evaluate the losses and submit a report. The team is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Thursday afternoon, visit the affected areas on Friday and hold a meeting with chief secretary Rajiva Sinha on Saturday.
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