Yaas: Central teams do ground, aerial surveys | Economic Times

More than 20 million people in West Bengal were affected by cyclone Yaas, which also caused damage to 30 million houses, the state government conveyed to the central team visiting Kolkata for an on-the-spot assessment. Eighteen districts across the state, including Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur, were impacted by the cyclone, the state government said.The central team, headed by the Union home ministry’s joint secretary, included members from other central departments such as agriculture, animal husbandry, drinking water supply, health and telecom. Initial reports on the cyclone have suggested that the state evacuated more than 1.5 million people from the coastal districts, out of which 600,000 people are still staying in 3,306 camps. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had asked for a Rs 20,000 crore relief package from the Centre.The inter-ministerial central team, which reached West Bengal on Sunday, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of damages caused by the cyclone in Patharpratima and Gosaba of South 24 Paraganas district on Monday. One team undertook an aerial survey while the other went to the areas and spoke to the affected people.Patharpratima, Gosaba and several other areas of Sunderbans and Sagar Island have been ravaged by the cyclone and saline water has entered the agricultural land in these areas. Officials said the central team will submit its report to the Union home secretary upon its return, based on which central grant will be approved by a committee headed by Union home minister Amit Shah.