Pondy CM apprises Centre of damage caused by cyclone Gaja in

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Saturday said he has apprised the Centre of the damage caused by the cyclone Gaja in Karaikal.

Talking to reporters here, he said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had contacted him over phone yesterday to know of the extent of damage the Union Territory suffered.

"An interim relief would be sought along with an interim report on the damage the cyclone has caused in Karaikal," the Chief Minister said.

"I place on record the speed with which the officials are working to restore power supply in cyclone hit Karaikal," he said.

To a query on the quantum of relief sought from the Centre, he said, "A detailed report was getting ready and it would be sent to the Centre on Monday with a plea for interim relief.

The quantum of relief would be known only when the report was finalised," he said.

A number of huts have collapsed in the impact of the cyclone and heavy rains in Karaikal.

Fishermen suffered the most, he noted.

Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan was camping in Karaikal to oversee the relief and rehabilitation works.

The territorial government had opened 190 relief centres.

Earlier, the cabinet meeting chaired by Narayanasamy reviewed the relief works taken up in Karaikal.