The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala today. He will review the situation arising in the aftermath of cyclone “Ockhi,” and the status of relief operations, at Kavaratti, Kanyakumari, and Thiruvananthapuram. The Prime Minister  met with officials and public representatives. He also met with cyclone victims, including fishermen and farmer delegations.

It maybe recalled that many parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were severely affected by Cyclone Ockhi in late November and early December 2017. In midst of the campaign for the Gujarat Polls , the Prime Minister could not visit the affected areas though he had deputed his cabinet colleague Nirmala Sitharaman to oversee relief and rescue works. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had earlier had visited the victims families and fishermen last week.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi yesterday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a comprehensive special financial package for Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep for rehabilitation of families of fishermen who died due to Cyclone Ockhi.

In his first letter as the Congress chief to the prime minister, he requested Modi to help put in place adequate measures for strengthening the weather update system and advance cyclone warning communication mechanism in the coastal areas.

Highlighting the suffering of cyclone-hit fishermen, whom he met during his recent visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu on December 14, Gandhi said the cyclone has caused tremendous damage to their lives and livelihood.

“In these challenging times, our fishermen deserve a helping hand from our government,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi urged the prime minister to take all necessary measures for rehabilitation of fishermen and restoration of their traditional vocation.

Defence Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman undertook a visit to the cyclone affected areas of both Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram on 3rd and 4th December. National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by the Cabinet secretary, Shri P K Sinha met on 4th December and reviewed the relief and rescue operations in States and Union Territories affected by the cyclone.

Government agencies both from the Centre and the affected States, including Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and NDRF were involved in relief and rescue operations. Relief camps were set up in the affected areas. The Union Government has released the second instalment of State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to the Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the current financial year of 2017-18 to supplement the efforts of State Government in dealing with the natural calamity. During the financial year 2017-18, amount of central share of SDRF to State Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu is Rs. 153 crore and Rs. 561 crore respectively. Kerala government has asked for a relief package of Rs 1834 crore from the centre.  The Tamilnadu government is meanwhile demanding that the Cyclone Ockhi be termed as a National disaster