Cyclone Ockhi: PM Narendra Modi to visit Tamil Nadu, Kerala Lakshadweep on Tuesday

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Monday to review the situation arising in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi.

During the visit, the PM will also update himself as regards the status of the relief operations at Kavaratti, Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram.

He would meet officials and public representatives as also the cyclone victims, including the fishermen, and farmers' delegations, a statement issued by the PM's office said.

Leaving for Mangaluru, Karnataka. Tomorrow, I will visit Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and extensively review the situation that has arisen due to #CycloneOckhi. I will meet cyclone victims, fishermen, farmers, officials and public representatives. https://t.co/XaANfnWrr4 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

Since #CycloneOckhi struck, Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations. We have been working closely with the Governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

The statement also pointed out that the Centre had released the second instalment from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu to supplement the efforts of these states in dealing with the situation.

"During the financial year 2017-18, the amounts of the central share of the SDRF to the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were Rs 153 crore and Rs 561 crore respectively," it said. 

The Prime Minister would also meet Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and some of his Cabinet colleagues, including revenue minister E Chandrasekharan and Fisheries minister J Mercykutty at the Raj Bhavan, PTI quoted sources in the CM's office as saying.

Chief Secretary KM Abraham would also give a presentation on the calamity and the devastation caused in coastal regions of the state capital, including Poonthura, Vizhinjam, Pozhiyur and Adimalithura.

Parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were severely affected by the cyclone late last month and early this month.

The Kerala CM had earlier met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought the central assistance of Rs 1,843 crore. 

The state also wanted the Centre to declare the devastation caused by the cyclone as a national disaster.

(With PTI inputs)