Cyclone Yaas: Know Why Odisha CM Did Not Seek Immediate Financial Aid From Centre

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has sought no immediate financial assistance from the Centre for the damage caused by very severe cyclonic storm Yaas, which hit Odisha coast on May 26.

“As the country is at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, we have not sought any immediate financial assistance to burden the central government and would like to manage it through our own resources to tide over the crisis,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted after the review meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to assess the loss and damages caused by the very severe cyclonic storm.

Instead, the state has sought assistance for long-term measures to make Odisha disaster resilient. “Highlighted Odisha’s demand for disaster resilient power infrastructure and resilient coastal protection with storm surge resilient embankments,” he wrote.

The CM further said that he apprised PM Modi about the large-scale devastation caused by the cyclone and steps taken by the state government ahead of the cyclone and the ongoing restoration efforts.

Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi were also present.

Following the meeting, PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of the affected districts in the state. He is expected to announce the relief package by this evening.