Centre biased in aiding Ockhi-hit states: Opposition

New Delhi: Demanding a stronger coordination between various agencies in order to deal with cyclones, members of the Lok Sabha on Friday alleged that the advance warning for cyclone Ockhi was given to Kerala very late. In fact, some Congress members staged a walkout after making this accusation.

Congress and the Left MPs from Kerala which bore the brunt of the cyclone sought a probe into the alleged mismanagement, lack of coordination and other aspects of the disaster. The members of Parliament demanded that the devastation caused by Ockhi should be declared a national calamity.

Congress leader and the party’s MP from Alappuzha K.C. Venugopal asked for the putting in place of a functional monitoring system and efforts to bring back hundreds of people who are still missing after cyclone Ockhi.

Cyclone Ochki which had hit coastal states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu on November 30, claimed several lives and caused widespread damage. Mr Venugopal sought to know the steps taken by the Centre so far and wondered whether it was insensitive on the issue. “Why is there a delay sending a central team” to Kerala, he questioned.

More than 75 people have been killed and hundreds of fishermen are missing in the wake of Ockhi.

Mr Venugopal stressed on the need for strong coordination to bringing them back. He said there have been lapses on part of the authorities with regard to dealing with Ockhi and its aftermath. “We cannot accuse anybody for natural calamities... but we could have taken precautions and had early warnings, he said claiming that some officers have committed mistakes”.