Central team completes visits to affected areas, meets CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

Chennai: After completing its three-day visit to cyclone Gaja-hit areas in the central and delta districts, the Central team consisting of seven members deputed by the Centre, met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and briefed him on the assessment of damages caused by the cyclone. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes at the secretariat on Tuesday.

Addressing the media after meeting CM, Daniel Richard, joint secretary of the Union home ministry, who headed the team, said, “We have done an extensive assessment of the damage caused by cyclone Gaja and felt the pain of people in the affected areas.”

Richard said that the report would be consolidated and finalised, after which they would submit it for consideration to the appropriate committee in government. He said that the team visited cyclone-affected areas in Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and other interior areas. “Further, we also made an assessment in Puducherry and took stock of the damage. We will also consider the reports submitted by the respective district administrations about the damages. Reports included damages, loss of lives and- other infrastructure,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Palaniswami left for Tiruvarur on Monday night by train to visit the cyclone-affected areas. During his earlier visit, the Chief Minister could not reach some affected areas due to incessant rain. Contributions to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund rose to over '33.66 crore as on Monday.