The Mamata Banerjee government on Saturday, 23 May asked for army support for restoration work after Cyclone Amphan ravaged the state. Following the request, Army sent troops to the state according to ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 22 May, allocated Rs 500 crore for Odisha in the wake of Cyclone Amphan. Earlier in the day, he announced Rs 1,000 crore for immediate assistance to West Bengal, where the deadly storm has claimed at least 86 lives.
The PM conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas in both West Bengal and Odisha on Friday, accompanied by chief ministers Mamata Banerjee and Naveen Patnaik in their respective states.
Battered by the impact of the cyclone, West Bengal has written to the Railways asking them to not send 'shramik' special trains to the state till 26 May in view of the cyclone.
“Under the leadership of CM Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal is doing its bit in fighting the crisis caused by Cyclone Amphan,” PM Modi was quoted by PTI as saying in Basirhat
CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that Cyclone Amphan should be treated as a national disaster
In an Opposition meet convened by Sonia Gandhi, 22 parties, in a resolution, demanded that the Centre declare Cyclone Amphan a national calamity
The cyclone left behind a trail of destruction in Kolkata, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas districts
Many trees lay uprooted and infrastructure damaged in Kolkata, with the airport in the state capital also getting flooded
Amphan Has Affected 44.45 Lakh People: Odisha Govt
Odisha government on Saturday says, "Cyclone Amphan has affected over 44.45 lakh people in 9833 villages and 22 urban bodies."
"Due to the impact of Cyclone Amphan, about 500 houses have been fully damaged and 15,000 houses got partially damaged. 28 large animals, 9 small animal and 3680 poultry birds perished," ANI quotes Odisha government.
Army Sends Troops After WB's Request
Army has been deployed in cyclone-ravaged Kolkata and neighbouring districts for restoration work, PTI cites Defence sources.
WB Governor Hits Out at Kolkata Municipal Corporation
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep DhankharI says, "I couldn't have any discussion with the state govt. It's unfortunate. I had extensive discussions with Indian Coast Guard & BSF, they did a great job. I spoke to Army, they were ready for relief work. What did Kolkata Municipal Corporation do?"
He adds, "Why could they not anticipate? Most of the deaths were caused due to uprooting of trees. Why was there no contingency plan? Why were arrangements not done beforehand", PTI reports.
WB Govt Calls for Army Support, Says NDRF, SDRF Teams Deployed
Government of West Bengal mobilizes maximum strength in unified command mode on 24×7 basis for immediate restoration of essential infrastructure and services asap. Army support has been called for; NDRF and SDRF teams deployed,” said West Bengal Home Department.