Daniel E. Richard, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and head of the seven-member Inter-ministerial Central team, said that the team would be submitting its report on the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gaja in the Karaikal region within a week.

Addressing reporters at the Chief Secretariat here on Tuesday, he said the Puducherry government had acted immediately ensuring that there was no loss of life. Though there has been loss of infrastructure and vegetation, saving human lives was more important and the government had swung into action immediately, he said.

Memorandum

Mr. Richard said a memorandum on the damage caused by the cyclonic storm was handed over to the team by the Chief Minister. He said the team visited the affected areas in Karaikal on Monday, to survey the aftermath of Gaja on crops, embankments, trees, small huts and other infrastructure.

“We have sought a few more details from the government. Once it is made available we will compile and send a report to the Centre,” he said.

Earlier, the team held discussions with Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, Ministers A. Namassivayam, R. Kamalakannan and Chief Secretary Ashwani Kumar who briefed them about the situation in Karaikal.

First-hand accounts

The team interacted with the affected people in Pattinacherry, T.R. Pattinam, Neravy and Tirunallar and got first-hand accounts. It collected particulars on the extent of compensation that would be needed to take up repair work.

The Puducherry government has sought an assistance of ₹187 crore from the Centre towards relief for the Karaikal region.