P'cherry region declared 'natural calamity affected area'

Puducherry, Jan 6: The Puducherry government has declared the entire union territory a natural calamity affected area in the wake of the devastation wrought by the December 30 last Thane cyclone, which left seven persons dead.

The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management notification issued on Jan 3 and published in the State Gazette said the entire region has been declared a natural calamity affected area. The notification was issued by Special Secretary Dr S B Deepak Kumar under the order of the Lt Governor.

The government has estimated the total damage caused by the cyclone at Rs 2,000 crore. Cuddalore and Puducherry were the worst-affected by the cyclonic storm which crossed the coast on December 30, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction and claiming 46 lives. Cuddalore alone accounted for 39 deaths.

PTI