Lok Sabha Question No. 289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-19
Subject: Losses due to Asani Cyclone
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Su Thirunavukkarasar, Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 289

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  JULY, 2022/ ASHADHA 28, 1944 (SAKA)

LOSSES DUE TO ASANI CYCLONE

289.     SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  cyclone  'Asani'  has  struck  various  coastal  States  in  the country recently;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  losses  suffered  and  the  number  of  persons  killed and injured in the said cyclone, State/UT-wise, including Assam;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  impact  of  the  cyclone 'Asani' in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  announced  any  relief  package/provided any assistance to the affected States and if so, the details thereof, Statewise; 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  (d):    Cyclone  'Asani'  weakened  near  the  coast  and  crossed Andhra  Pradesh  coast  between  Machilipatnam  and  Narsapur.  No damage  was  reported  from  any  State due to Asani cyclone except in

Andhra Pradesh. As reported by Government of Andhra Pradesh, only 16 houses were damaged and 17 animals were found dead.

The  primary  responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the State  Governments  concerned. The  State Governments  provide financial relief to the affected people in the wake of notified disasters including  cyclone,  from  the  State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF) already placed at their disposal.  However, in the event of disaster of a severe  nature,  additional  financial  assistance  is  extended  from  the National Disaster Response  Fund  (NDRF)  as  per the laid  down procedure,  which  includes  an  assessment  based  on  the  visit  of  an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

(e):    The  National  Crisis  Management  Committee  (NCMC),  headed  by Cabinet  Secretary,  monitors  and  coordinates  the  situation  with  the affected  States  and  Central  Ministries/  Agencies  concerned  during major  disasters  including  cyclone.  Indian  Metrological  Department (IMD)  issues  regular  and  precise  forecasts  &  warning  bulletins  to  all the affected States.

There  are  well  established  institutional  mechanisms  at  the  National, State & District levels in the country to develop appropriate preparedness and prompt response mechanisms for effective management of natural disasters including cyclone. Central Government  has  established  a  robust  early  warning  system  and  has significantly  enhanced  the  accuracy  of  weather  forecasts.  Mock exercises and community awareness programmes are being regularly conducted  to  educate  people  at the time of natural calamities including cyclone.

The  measures  taken  by  the  Central  and  State  Governments  have significantly improved the disaster management practices, preparedness, prevention and response mechanisms  resulting in significant reduction in casualties during natural calamities, including cyclones, in the country. Further, strengthening of the disaster management is a continuing and evolving process of the governance.

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