New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday allowed export of 400 tons of basmati rice, relief consignment from France to cyclone-hit Myanmar, through the Chennai port.

"Port restriction under 'Nature of Restriction' shall not apply to export of 400 MTs of basmati rice from Chennai port to Myanmar to be sent by government of France as relief material," Director General of Foreign Trade said in a notification.

Export of Basmati Rice is allowed through the following six ports only -- Kandla, Kakinada, Kolkata, JNPT (Mumbai), Mundra, and Pipavav.

As many as 80,000 people are reported dead and many others rendered homeless when cyclone Nargis hit Mayanmar on May 5.