Date:28/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112857340600.htm

New Delhi

Central team to assess cyclone damage

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to immediately despatch a central team to Tamil Nadu to assess the havoc caused by the cyclone ‘Nisha’ and estimate the damage in 10 coastal districts of the State in the last few days.

This followed a presentation made by Union Shipping Minister and DMK Parliamentary leader T.R. Baalu to the Cabinet here on Thursday morning about the cyclone damage.

Extensive damage

Mr. Baalu told the Cabinet that the cyclone had caused extensive damage to the life and property in the State.

As many as 54 persons had lost their lives due to the floods/rain-related incidents and a large number of heads of cattle had perished.

Similarly a number of huts, houses had been damaged or washed away. Likewise, there was damage to the standing samba crop on 1.5 lakh hectares in the Cauvery delta districts; roads and tanks.

Fishermen had been badly hit due to the natural calamity as they could not venture into the sea for fishing. Besides their boats and fishing equipment had got damaged, he told the meeting.