Bhubaneswar: With the cyclonic storm Fani approaching towards Odisha coast, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released Rs 340.875 crore to Odisha for undertaking preventive and relief measures.
Besides Odisha, three other States – Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal – have also been given advance funds. The MHA has ordered advance release of a total of Rs 1,086 crore to the four States.
While the Odisha has received the highest advance of Rs 340.875 crore, Tamil Nadu has receive Rs 309.375 crore followed by West Bengal (Rs 235.50 crore) and Andhra Pradesh (200.25 crore).
“Based on the decision of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered for advance release of financial assistance of Rs. 1086 crore to 4 States (i.e. Rs. 200.25 cr – for Andhra Pradesh + Rs. 340.875 cr – for Odisha + Rs. 309.375 cr – for Tamil Nadu + Rs. 235.50 cr – for West Bengal), to their State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to assist them in undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to cyclonic storm ‘FANI’,” said a PIB communiqué.
Meanwhile, Fani intensified into severe cyclone and is currently lying 700 km east south east of Chennai. It is most likely to curve northwest-wards tomorrow and thereafter may recurve towards Odisha coast, according to IMD.
Anticipating possible landfall in Bhadrak/Balasore region, NDRF team prepositioned at Balasore and further strengthened with manpower and equipment especially tree cutters.
