PM Modi Visits Ockhi-Hit States, Assures Rs 325 Cr Assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to victims of cyclone Ockhi.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@NarendraModi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited regions affected by cyclone Ockhi, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on Tuesday, 19 December, said that the Centre will support affected states with financial assistance worth Rs 325 crore.

The Kerala state government, however, had made a detailed presentation seeking a Rs 7,340 crore relief package to mitigate the losses of fishermen.

Tamil Nadu, on the same day, sought a central relief package of Rs 9,300 crore for rehabilitation efforts in the state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami said that the state wants the Centre to declare Ockhi a "national disaster" on account of the "severity" of the cyclone.

The coastal districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallore, Cuddalore, Tuticorin and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu suffered the brunt of the northeast monsoon in October-November, with incessant rains resulting in flooding.

The state government, quoting the CM's memorandum to Modi, said Tamil Nadu has sought immediate release of Rs 747 crore towards rehabilitation efforts in Kanyakumari.

The Centre will also support reconstruction of approximately 1,400 houses fully damaged due to the cyclone under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

“Will Do Everything to Search for Missing Persons”

In Kerala’s Poonthura, Modi assured the fishing community that the Centre will spare no effort to trace the missing fisherfolk and help rebuild their lives in the wake of the devastating cyclone.

The whole country is with you in this time of sorrow. We will do everything to search for the missing fishermen... We pray to God that before Christmas, all the missing persons return.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

During the visit, he also spoke to priests of the Latin Catholic church to which most of the fisherfolk in the region belong.

The Prime Minister said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the affected areas and taken stock of the situation as soon as the cyclone struck.

The Navy and Coast Guard are continuing the search operations even now, he said.

In Lakshwadeep, Modi met people hit by Cyclone Ockhi in the Lakshadweep Islands after reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the union territory's capital Kavaratti.

He reviewed the situation in the aftermath of the the natural calamity that left a trail of destruction.

Later, he met a group of people who were victims of the cyclone and interacted with them.

The Prime Minister met people affected by Cyclone Ockhi on the island. It was a good visit. We have been working closely with the governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone.

PP Mohammed, Lakshadeep MP

(With inputs from PTI, IANS)