Mumbai:NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday visited Raigad in Maharashtra to take stock of the damage caused by cyclone ''Nisarga'' last week, and called for a joint policy by the state and the Centre to provide maximum help for the district, which is also battling coronavirus outbreak.
The cyclone had caused huge devastation in parts of the coastal district, about 115 kms away from Mumbai, on June 3 after making landfall near Shrivardhan.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced an immediate relief of Rs 100 crore for Raigad.
Pawar's party is a key constituent in the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi government headed by the Shiv Sena.
Talking to reporters after touring Raigad district, Pawar said paddy crop, horticulture and fisheries have suffered a huge damage due to the cyclone.
"Coconut and cashew orchards also got destroyed. Unless the Centre steps in to assist the state government, a good financial package is not possible. I will speak to the Union government once panchnamas (damage assessment) is done after the visit of a Central team to the district," the former Union agriculture minister said.
He said small businesses were severely affected because of disruption caused in supply of power in the aftermath of the cyclone.
"There is also a problem of drinking water. Cyclonic rains damaged food grains provided to the district for the lockdown. The state government will provide fresh supplies soon," he said.