Prime Minister Narendra Modi today conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-ravaged areas of Odisha and announced additional central assistance of 1,000 crore rupees for relief works. The Centre had earlier released in advance 381 crores for the state. Mr Modi undertook the aerial survey and took stock of the situation in Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accompanied the Prime Minister.
Talking to reporters, Mr Modi said, the Centre is committed to providing all possible efforts to Odisha for its restoration work. He said, a central team will soon be visiting the state to assess the extent of loss and damage. Mr Modi promised compensation of 2 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and 50,000 for those injured due to the Cyclonic storm.
He also lauded the state government in evacuating coastal areas to avoid loss of lives. Two days after Fani barrelled through coastal Odisha, the death toll due to the extremely severe storm has risen to 38.