In a major move to bring Amphan cyclon-hit Odisha back on the tracks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this afternoon announced a Rs 500 crore financial assistance package for the state.

After chairing a review meeting and conducting an aerial survey of areas devastated by cyclone Amphan, PM Modi announced the immediate assistance to carry out the relief and restoration measures in the state.

"Everyone is fighting Covid-19. In such a time, we had a super cyclone in some parts of India. This became very worrying. But due to the well-established processes in Odisha, many lives were saved. I congratulate the people and Government of Odisha. At the same time, there has been damage to property, which we reviewed in a meeting today. All possible assistance will be provided by the Centre to ensure quick relief work. Rs 500 crore will be given to Odisha as advance assistance," Prime Minister said.


All possible assistance will be provided by the Centre to ensure quick relief work.

In the review meeting PM Modi was accompanied by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor Ganeshi Lal, and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi at Biju Patnaik International Airport. All the ministers and officials were seen wearing masks and following the social distancing norms.

Odisha had anticipated heavy rainfall and strong winds ahead of cyclone. As preparation, the sate government set up 1704 shelter camps and evacuated over I lakh people from 13 districts. Over 44 lakh people under 89 blocks have been affected by the impact of the cyclone.