The estimated loss to agriculture and other sectors due to cyclone Nivar has been tentatively put at Rs 400 crore and a full assessment is being made, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said today after visiting localities affected by the cyclonic storm when it made landfall in the early hours.
Paddy crops over an extent of 820 hectares besides vegetables on 200 hectares, sugarcane on 170 hectares, 55 hectares of banana crop and betel leaf cultivated on seven hectares had been severely hit by the torrential rains, the chief minister said.
Puducherry administration would seek an interim relief of Rs 50 crores from the Centre, he said.
A full assessment was being made by the departments on the total quantum of loss in farm and other sectors although it had been estimated tentatively that the loss would be Rs 400 crore, Mr Narayanasamy said.
He expressed relief that "Nivar" had caused no big loss and there were no deaths.
"I thank the Almighty for saving Puducherry from the fury of the cyclone," he said appreciating the team work of all departments, the NDRF team and defence personnel.
Puducherry registered 27 cm rainfall while Karaikal recorded 10 cm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. Thursday.
Water was drained from low lying areas and various housing colonies using pumps. All trees that were uprooted under the strong winds were being removed, the chief minister said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Trucks Arrive To Help 5,000 People Stranded Near Chennai IT Corridor Cyclone Nivar: Chennai Neighbourhoods Relive A Nightmare, Chief Minister Palaniswami Intervenes Four Killed Due To Cyclone Nivar In Tamil Nadu; Centre, State Announce Relief Spoke Of Reunification Under India: Sources On Lalduhoma's Viral Old Speech Explained: Sunita Williams Experiences 16 Sunrises And Sunsets Every Day Video: Air Force's MiG-29 Stalls In Flat Spin Seconds Before It Crashed What If The US Election Ends In A Trump-Kamala Harris Tie? Abortion Rights Issue Influencing Indian American Women's Voting Preference Israel Says Hit Hezbollah Intel Headquarters In Syria Strike Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.