An inter-ministerial team headed by Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry left the State Secretariat after holding discussions with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, O Pannerselvam, and state officials to assess the damage caused by the massive December 12 Vardah cyclone in Chennai and nearby districts.
The nine-member team headed by Praveen Vashistha, Joint Secretary (LWE), Home Ministry, was at the Secretariat for nearly one-and-half hours.
Vashistha declined to talk to newspersons waiting at the Secretariat.
The team consisting of senior officials from the ministries of finance, agriculture, rural development, industry, highways and HRD, will today visit various areas, including Panagal Park, Anna Nagar, Thirumangalam and Vandalur zoo.
The team will also visit different cyclone-hit districts in the State tomorrow, and rap up the visit with a discussion with the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Girija Vaidyanathan.
In-depth assessment
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has requested the Central team to make an in-depth assessment of the damages suffered by the State and to submit its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs immediately.
Vashista stated that even from Delhi, they were able to gauge the intensity of the cyclone based on media reports. The team leader stated that the team could see the speedy restoration works done by the State Government even as they arrived in the airport and on their way to the Secretariat.
Vashista commended the quick restoration work undertaken by the State Government. He assured the Chief Minister that the team will take up an in-depth assessment of the damages and submit its report at the earliest, says a government press release.