This document will be proved a role model in dealing with future natural calamities, it should be publicized and disseminated across the country as a success story

Appreciating all the agencies, officers and employees of the State and Central Government for successfully dealing with the cyclonic storm Biparjoy, Union Home Minister expressed gratitude towards them on behalf of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah conducted an aerial survey of cyclone affected areas from Bhuj to Mandvi and Jakhau in Gujarat, today. In Mandvi, the Union Home Minister visited the civil hospital where pregnant women were brought before the onset of cyclone. Shri Amit Shah visited the wards of the hospital and spoke to pregnant women and women who have delivered babies during cyclone period. Shri Shah also visited visited a village and met farmers and their families, whose horticulture crop has damaged.

The Union Home Minister also met the NDRF Jawans and praised them for their commendable work during the cyclone. In Jakhau, Shri Amit Shah visited a Primary Health Centre where around 200 villagers have been sheltered, Shri Shah also took stoke of the facilities being provided to the villagers. The villagers thanked the Union Home Minister and the local administration for the good arrangements made for them before and during the cyclone.

Later, while addressing a press conference in Bhuj, the Union Home Minister said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that not a single person lost his life due to Cyclone Biparjoy which had a speed of 140 km per hour. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi continuously guided the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Gujarat and all the agencies and coming out of this disaster with minimum damage is a classic example of teamwork. Shri Shah said that under the leadership of Shri Modi, the Government of India and the State Government under the guidance of the Chief Minister of Gujarat have collectively faced Biparjoy. He said that not even a single human death shows the success of the whole system and it is an example for us how to use the information timely.

Shri Amit Shah praised the government of Gujarat for the preparations and arrangements made before and during the cyclone. He said that the Government of Gujarat has presented an excellent example of how timely information can be used to save lives. The government of Gujarat also implemented the NDMA's guidelines on cyclones completely at the grassroots level in which government departments, public representatives, local people and voluntary organizations made full contribution.

The Union Home Minister said that immediately after the news of Cyclone Biparjoy came on June 6, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conducted a review of all the agencies of the Central and State Governments. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi himself monitored the situation till 1 o'clock in the night to keep the entire system alert and to keep all the arrangements in place. He said that review meetings were held at several levels and information was exchanged between all agencies, as a result of which and full awareness and cooperation of the public, we have been able to come out of this disaster with minimum loss.

Shri Amit Shah said that only 47 people got minor injuries and 234 animals died in the storm. He said that power supply was stopped in 3400 villages due to the cyclone, out of which supply in 1600 villages has been restored in less than 24 hours and by 20th evening power supply will be restored in all the villages. He said that even before the cyclone made the landfall, 1206 pregnant women were safely taken to hospital and all these women have expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided to them. Shri Shah said that 707 successful deliveries have taken place during the disaster period. In addition, a total of 1,08,208 civilians and 73,000 cattle were evacuated to safer places. Shri Shah said that 3,27,890 trees were pruned on time so that they do not fall due to strong wind during the cyclone. A total of 4317 hoardings were also removed timely in all the districts. He said that about 21,585 boats were parked in time and more than one lakh fishermen were brought back to the shore and saved.

Appreciating the work done by NDRF and SDRF, the Union Home Minister said that 19 battalions of NDRF, 13 battalions of SDRF and 2 Reserve Battalions worked to save lives by risking their lives. He said that Army, Navy, Airforce, Coast Guard, BSF, State Reserve Police and State Police worked in full coordination with NDRF and SDRF.

Shri Amit Shah said that at present 1133 teams are engaged in restoring power supply and 400 more teams will be engaged from tomorrow. He said that there were many laborers at the salt plants who were successfully evacuated.

Earlier, the Union Home Minister chaired a review meeting at Bhuj on preparedness before and during the cyclone, damages caused and restoration measures. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and other senior officials of the state. Secretaries and senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Power and Ministry of Telecommunications and Director General of IMD and NDRF joined the meeting through video conferencing.

The Union Home Minister directed to ensure power supply in the affected areas at the earliest, pay special attention to cleanliness and repairing of roads on priority basis. Along with this, he also asked to make all necessary arrangements for the people living in the shelter homes and real time reporting of the shelter homes so that the people living there do not face any kind of inconvenience. Shri Shah also gave instructions to do proper assessment of the loss of agriculture and horticulture. He added that efforts should also be made to revive the fallen horticulture trees.

Shri Amit Shah said that a document should be prepared on action taken by all the agencies from the time of Cyclone Biparjoy warning till now so that the huge success achieved in dealing with the disaster could be disseminated to the public. He said that this document will be proved a role model in dealing with future natural calamities. He added that it should be publicized and disseminated across the country as a success story. Appreciating all the agencies, officers and employees of the State and Central Government for successfully dealing with the cyclonic storm Biparjoy, Union Home Minister expressed gratitude towards them on behalf of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

*****

RK/AY/AKS/AS