53 dead in Gujarat, Rs 4L for victims’ kin

As many as 53 people have lost their lives in incidents related to Cyclone Tauktae in different parts of Gujarat, officials confirmed.

“As per latest available information, as many as 53 people have lost their lives in various cyclone-related incidents across Gujarat,” state relief commissioner Harshad Kumar Patel said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a package of Rs 1,000 crore to carry out “immediate relief activities”.

On Thursday, the Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani approved a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of those who have died Rs 50,000 for those who were injured. This compensation is in addition to the central government’s compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured persons, said a government release.

Meanwhile, the NCP claimed that six states, including Maharashtra and Goa, suffered losses due to Cyclone Tauktae, but the Centre announced financial assistance only for Gujarat. Fadnavis alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was deliberately trying to rake up a controversy.

Farmers in Goa have suffered losses worth around Rs 3 crore due to Cyclone Tauktae, as per initial estimates, state Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar said. Kavlekar, who also holds charges of agriculture department, said here that zonal agricultural officers in the state have been asked to make a detailed assessment of the losses faced by farmers.