PM Modi arrives in Odisha to chair review meeting and aerial survey of cyclone Yaas hit areas

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today at the Biju Patnaik International Airport to review and assess the damages caused by cyclone Yaas and make an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas.

Mr Modi was received at the airport by Odisha Governor Prof.Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratao Saranghi, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra, DGP Abhaya and Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena.

After his arrival, Mr Modi chaired a review meeting at the airport where Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, both the Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Saranghi, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra, DGP Abhaya and SRC Pradip Jena besides some senior officials were present.

Sources said the state government will present a detailed picture of the evacuation, relief and rescue operation in the cyclone Yaas affected areas.

The review meeting, sources said, would continue for an hour after which the Prime Minister will make an aerial survey of Balasore and Bhadrak districts, worst affected in the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas which made landfall on the morning of May 26 close to the Balasore coast.

Mr Modi will proceed to West Bengal after the aerial survey where he will also chair a review meeting and make an aerial survey of the cyclone Yaas hit areas.(UNI)

Naveen urges Modi for central help on coastal storm surge protection plan, disaster resistance power system to tackle cyclones

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide assistance for a permanent infrastructure mitigation, coastal storm surge protection plan and a disaster resistance power system in the coastal areas of the state to tackle the cyclones.

The demand was made at a review meeting chaired by Prime minister Narendra Modi on his arrival here today at the Biju Patnaik International airport.

Briefing newsmen after the review meeting, Special Relief Commissioner Pradip Jena said the state government did not demand any specific assistance to handle the restoration work in the cyclone Yaas hit areas.

He said an eight minutes video presentation was made before the Prime minister and Chief Minister made a powerpoint presentation on the cyclone.

Mr Jena said since this time the storm surge triggered by the cyclone Yaas inundated several villages, the Chief Minister demanded a long term solution and coastal storm surge protection plan to mitigate the cyclone.

Mr Patnaik also sought the assistance from the centre for introducing high technology and underground cable systems in the coastal belt which has been repeatedly facing cyclones at regular intervals every year.

The SRC said a rough estimate on the damages caused by the cyclone was presented before the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister was informed that a detailed report on the damages would be submitted within a week's time.

Mr Jena said the state did not seek any assistance immediately as the government has the money to handle the immediate restoration work in the cyclone-hit areas.

Union Minister Pratap Saranghi said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik did not seek any specific assistance at the review meeting. He, however, indicated that the Prime Minister will announce some package for the state in the evening after making an aerial survey of the cyclone hit areas.

Mr Modi after the review meeting left for an aerial survey of Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts badly affected by the Cyclone YAAS which made its landfall on May 26 morning near the Balasore coast.

Mr Modi will visit West Bengal later after an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in Odisha where he will also chair a review meeting and make an aerial survey of the areas hit by cyclone Yaas.

UNI