Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19 -- The Union Government has approved Rs 1,554.99 crore as additional central assistance to five states, including Odisha, affected by natural calamities in 2024.

The high-level committee (HLC), under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved the additional central assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura.

These five states were affected by natural calamities like flood, flashflood, landslide and cyclonic storm in 2024.

"Approval of additional central assistance shows the resolve of the Union Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to help the people of five states, affected by natural calami...