Highlights| Bengal staring at record agri-loss due to Cyclone Amphan: Minister

Stating that he was saddened to hear about cyclone Amphan hitting coastal regions in India and Bangladesh, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday expressed his 'heartfelt condolences to the two friendly nations'.

Telecom networks continued to operate at 65-70% capacity on the third day after super cyclone Amphan wreaked havoc in coastal districts of West Bengal, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said on Friday.

Continuous power outages, frequent fibre cuts and electricity wires on roads have made restoration of telecom networks a challenging task, COAI said.

Cyclone Amphan has ravaged the farming sector in at least 14 of the 23 districts in West Bengal and the loss incurred may create an all-time record, state Agriculture Minister Ashish Banerjee said on Friday.

The nation stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in West Bengal and Odisha. The Central Government assures all possible support as well as assistance towards the rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction efforts: PM Modi

High tides due to the 'Amphan' cyclone that played havoc in West Bengal have caused damage to the rubble mound wall in the fishing harbour under construction at a cost of ₹120 crore at Tarangambadiin Nagapattinam district.

The road forward for us is to strengthen our infrastructure (like power and housing) and make it cyclone resilient. PM Modi said Odisha has made a good name for itself in rescue, relief nd restoration measures: Chief Secretary of Odisha Asit Kumar Tripathy

Expressing solidarity with the people of Odisha and deep sorrow for the lives lost, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the seriously injured in the cyclone in the state: Government of India

Bollywood superstar and West Bengal brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan has expressed concern for those affected by the super cyclone Amphan which has devastated the state, and also affected parts of Odisha.

Government of India announces ₹500 crore for Odisha, as a measure in advance. Government will further help Odisha government and make rest of the arrangements to come out of this crisis, after the complete survey and the formation of a rehabilitation plan: PM Narendra Modi

The EU is determined to start helping people in need with no further delay and provides initial funding of €500.000 for India and €1.100.000 to support the immediate response in Bangladesh: Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management (European Union), reports ANI.

Odisha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a review meeting with senior officials and minister of the state in Bhubaneswar after his aerial survey of the areas affected due to Cyclone Amphan. CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi are also present, reports ANI.

Odisha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a review meeting with senior officials and minister of the state in Bhubaneswar after his aerial survey of the areas affected due to #CycloneAmphan. CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan & Pratap Sarangi are also present. pic.twitter.com/MZEHtn4wxt

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2020

Nepal government is grieved over loss of lives and destruction of properties in West Bengal by Cyclone Amphan. Government extends its heartfelt condolences to bereaved families of deceased as well as to Indian Govt. It also wishes speedy recovery of injured: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

22 opposition parties resolve to call upon Centre to provide urgent help to fellow citizens in view of Cyclone Amphan. The parties call upon Centre to declare Cyclone Amphan as national calamity: Resolution., reports PTI.

Bangladesh began assessing the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan that killed at least 22 people and left many displaced in the country's coastal areas. It was the most powerful storm since cyclone 'Sidr' killed nearly 3,500 people in 2007, reports PTI.

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh had a telephonic conversation with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to enquire about the damages caused due to Cyclone Amphan, reports ANI.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over phone to enquire about the damages caused by extremely severe #CycloneAmphan: Bangladesh media (file pic) pic.twitter.com/HpBMYSQH7F

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2020