Congress today appreciated the Armed forces, scientists and various other government agencies for tackling the situation arising out of Cyclone Phailin with "exemplary courage and efficiency."

"Congress congratulates and records its appreciation as well as gratitude towards Indian Armed forces, NDMA, NDRF, the IMD, scientists and various other government agencies. They had tackled the situation arising out of Cyclone Phailin with exemplary courage and efficiency", party General Secretary Ajay Maken said in a statement.

Maken, who heads the AICC Communication department, said these agencies along with the personnel of the Ministry of Railways, Surface Transport, Petroleum and Telecommunication, worked with a single minded focus on delivery.

"In first evaluating the impending threat of the unprecedented cyclone and then putting into place, systems, logistics and mechanisms that made it possible to mitigate and minimise the impact of the Cyclone, they had been successful," he said. It was this effort, Maken said, that had minimised the casualties.