Our Bureau
New Delhi
The cyclonic storm Yaas made its landfall over Odisha, but the after-effect can also be seen at the East Medinipur district in West Bengal. Several houses and shops in the coastal town of Digha have been completely damaged. The tin rooftop of the houses was been blown away by the wind. Many small shop owners have lost their source of income as their shops have been destroyed by the cyclonic storm.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in West Bengal, several parts of West Bengal, including Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts are likely to witness thunderstorm with lightning and gusty wind on Thursday.
Meanwhile, seven Indian Navy teams from Visakhapatnam are taking part in relief operations in the aftermath of cyclone Yaas in West Bengal.
But what made most news was a spat between Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district to take stock of the post cyclonic situation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was supposed to attained the meeting. However, Mamata Banerjee arrived late by 30 minutes and handed him over reports of damage caused by the impact of Cyclone Yaas. Following this, she left for her prescheduled meeting at Digha.
The West Bengal Chief Minister on Friday asked for a Rs 20,000 crore relief package from the Centre. Briefing the mediapersons at Digha, the chief minister said, “Prime Minister had called for a meeting. We did not know I had a meeting in Digha. So, we reached Kalaikunda to meet the Prime Minister and handed over a report of the damage caused by Cyclone Yaas. As far as our estimation, damage of Rs 20,000 crore was caused. So, we asked Rs 10,000 crore package each for the development of Digha and Sundarban.”
Later, hitting out at Mamata Banerjee for skipping the review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on cyclone Yaas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday alleged that the Trinamool Congress chief has put arrogance above public welfare.
“Mamata Didi’s conduct today is an unfortunate low. Cyclone Yaas has affected several common citizens and the need of the hour is to assist those affected. Sadly, Didi has put arrogance above public welfare and today’s petty behavior reflects that,” tweeted Shah. Slamming Banerjee, BJP President JP Nadda said her absence from the Prime Minister’s meeting is the murder of constitutional ethos and the culture of cooperative federalism.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji holds the principle of Cooperative federalism very sacred and has been actively working with all chief ministers irrespective of party to give relief to the people. Unsurprisingly Mamata Banerjee’s tactics and petty politics have once again come to haunt the people of Bengal,” tweeted Nadda.
“When Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands strong with the citizens of West Bengal in wake of cyclone Yaas, Mamata ji should also set aside her ego for the welfare of people. Her absence from the Prime Minister’s meeting is the murder of constitutional ethos and the culture of cooperative federalism,” the BJP chief said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy informed that it will continue rescue operations in Balasore district of Odisha following the havoc created by Cyclone Yaas.
As per an official statement by the Indian Navy on Thursday, “The Navy Disaster Relief Team was deployed on May 27 at Sadar block of Balasore district for carrying out relief activities in the area around Parikhi village which is worst affected due to water-logging.” The HADR Naval team has set up and operationalized a Community Kitchen at the multipurpose cyclone shelter of Parikhi Village, Sadar block. Meals were prepared and distributed at fisherman colonies of Budhigadiya, Nandachak, Boulbeni at Parikhi village for over 700 personnel. The community kitchen has been a big success and has provided much-needed succor to the affected people and they expressed gratitude for the timely service provided during the disaster.
Another Naval Relief team is scheduled to proceed for Talasari (northmost fishing village of Odisha) to distribute relief material in affected areas of Talasari, Bhograi, Chandramani and Inchundi villages today.
The team has also carried out tree cutting and clearance of certain roads at Balasore.
Four naval ships with relief material have already reached Dhamra anchorage to provide relief to the people of the Bhadrak district. The helicopters from the ships were launched to augment the efforts at Balasore district. They supplied 100 prepared food material packets and 300 dry provision packets to the relief team for distribution.
