Home Minister assures help to deal with situation in Odisha, WB

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to chief ministers of Odisha and West Bengal — Naveen Patnaik and Mamata Banerjee respectively — and assured them of all central help to deal with the situation arising due to cyclone Amphan.

Shah also said he was constantly monitoring the situation in the two cyclone-hit States. “I have also spoken to CM Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik ji & CM West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee ji over situation arising due to the cyclone and assured all possible help from centre,” he tweeted.

The Home Minister said the teams of the National Disaster Response Force are already on the ground to help the people affected by the cyclone.

“We are closely monitoring the cyclone Amphan and are in continuous touch with concerned authorities,” he said. Shah said the Narendra Modi government is committed for the safety and security of every citizen.

“I urge people of West Bengal and Odisha to stay indoor and follow instructions. Praying for everyone’s safety and well being,” he said.

At least 19 million children face imminent risk: UNICEF

At least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India face imminent risk from cyclone Amphan makes landfall today, UNICEF warned.

UNICEF is also very concerned that COVID-19 could deepen the humanitarian consequences of Cyclone Amphan in both countries. Evacuees who have moved to crowded temporary shelters would be especially vulnerable to the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, as well as other infections.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. “The safety of children and their families in the impacted areas and it is good to see that the authorities have planned their urgent response factoring the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.”