Chennai: The Union minister of state Pon Radhakrishnan on Sunday, while addressing the media, said that Cyclone Gaja that made landfall on the evening of November 16, has left the state in utter devastation and suggested that it could be labelled as a natural disaster.

Radhakrishnan was attending the public screening of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech Mann ki baat, which was broadcasted on SLP School’s playground. Special arrangements for the event was organised by BJP.

“Rs 16,000 crore has been asked on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government for relief measures. Meanwhile the central committee is inspecting the damage caused by the cyclone,” he said, adding that only after the inspection is completed, will it be decided whether the cyclone can be declared as a national disaster or not.   

Radhakrishnan also spoke about him visiting the cyclone-affected areas. He said that there are mixed responses coming from the people regarding the relief materials provided. “While meeting the people affected by the cyclone, I received various responses regarding the relief measures. Some are said to have received the benefits of the relief measures while others said that they didn’t receive anything.”