PM distressed over cyclone damage

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh noted with distress the extensive damage to property and crops and loss of livestock in cyclone-hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, said a statement Tuesday.

The statement added that he was, however, relieved that the loss of human lives was contained because of timely preventive measures.

Manmohan Singh Tuesday reviewed the impact of cyclone Phailin which hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Saturday night and the damage done by it.

The prime minister expressed his sympathies for those who lost their near and dear ones or houses, crops or livestock, said the statement.

At least 16 people -- 15 in Odisha and one in Andhra Pradesh -- died in the cyclone. The prime minister announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs.200,000 to the next of kin of the dead and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

He complimented the state authorities, district and police administration, relief workers, officers and staff of the National Disaster Management Authority, the National Disaster Relief Force and the India Meteorological Department for the measures which helped contain the effects of the cyclone on human life, said the statement.