Lok Sabha Question No. 2522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-03
Subject: Cyclone Bulbul
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2522

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2019/ AGRAHAYANA 12, 1941 (SAKA) CYCLONE BULBUL

2522.     SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: MS. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the cyclone 'Bulbul' has struck the South Eastern part of the country recently;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  losses  suffered  and  the  number  of  persons  killed  and injured in the said cyclone;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the cyclone 'Bulbul' in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  the  Union  Government has  announced any relief  package/provided any assistance to the affected States and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(e)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  for  coordination  among  all concerned  departments  to  minimize  the  losses  due  to  cyclones  and  natural calamities in the near future?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (b): Cyclone  'BULBUL'  crossed  West  Bengal  coast  close  to  Sunderban Dhanchi forest on 9 th  November, 2019, which led to heavy rains in various parts of  the  State  of  West  Bengal  and  Odisha.  Based  on  preliminary  estimate,  State Government  of  West Bengal  has reported loss of 11 human lives and 35.57 lakh

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2522 FOR 3.12.2019

people  were  affected.    State  Government  of  Odisha  has  reported  no  loss  of human  life  but  a  total  of  38.08  lakh  people  were  affected.  Damages  to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, houses, etc. have also been reported due to cyclone 'Bulbul'.

(c) and (d):  The  State  Government  undertakes  assessment  of  damages  and provides financial relief in the wake of natural disasters including cyclone, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal.  As on 1 st  April, 2019, Rs. 447.52 crore is available with State of Odisha and Rs. 264.70 crore is available with State of West Bengal under their SDRF. Further, during the year 2019-20, central share amounting to Rs. 414.90 crore to West Bengal and Rs. 552.00 crore to Odisha has already been released under SDRF by the Central Government.  Additional  financial  assistance  is  extended  from  the  National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per the laid down procedure.

After the cyclone BULBUL, Central Government has constituted Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) for both the States, which have visited the cyclone Bulbul affected areas in these States. State Governments have not yet submitted their memorandum for seeking additional assistance from NDRF.

(e): Primary  responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the  State Government.   Central  Government  extends  all  possible  logistics and financial

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2522 FOR 3.12.2019

support  to the States to supplement  their  efforts to meet  the  situation effectively. Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for institutional mechanisms  at  the  National,  State  &  District  level  viz.  National  Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) & District  Disaster  Management  Authority  (DDMA)  in  the  country  to  develop appropriate  preparedness,  coordination  and  prompt  response  mechanism  for effective  management  of  natural  disasters.  NDMA  has  formulated  National Disaster  Management  Plan  (NDMP)  for  better  management  and  coordination during occurrence of any disaster.

In  case  of  disaster  of  high  magnitude,  where  response  of  various  Ministries  of Central Government is required, National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) headed  by  Cabinet  Secretary  coordinates  preparedness  &  response  measures with the concerned Central agencies and State Governments.

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