Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, May 18: “Tauktae cyclone has caused severe damage to life and property in the coastal parts of the state. Concerned officials should immediately get into the act and assess the damage and provide relief to those who have lost their houses and crops. I will release funds through National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). Officials should also repair the roads and set the electricity supply,” said revenue minister and vice president of state disaster management authority R Ashok.

Ashok spoke to the media after viewing the areas affected by sea erosion due to cyclone Tauktae.

He further said, “One kilometre stretch of road is washed away at Maravanthe due to the velocity of waves. This is a disaster of huge scale. As many as 106 houses got damaged due to cyclone. One person has lost life. More than 100 coconut trees have got uprooted. Electrical poles are damaged. Relief measures have to be put in place immediately. Those who have lost houses will be provided relief and the family of the person who has lost life will be given Rs five lac as compensation.

“The washing away of the new road of Maravanthe due to the velocity of the waves is a big loss. The government will be notified about reconstruction of the road,” he said.

With regards to extension of lockdown, the minister said, “Experts feel that it is better to continue lockdown as the rate of corona positive cases are less as well as the deaths. The chief minister will give attention to this subject and take right decision.”

MLA B M Sukumar Shetty, Shankara Poojary, district BJP chief secretary Udayakumara Shetty, BJP Byndoor Mandala president Deepak Kumar Shetty, assistant commissioner K Raju and tahsildar Shobhalaxmi were present.