Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Congress unit Friday demanded compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in landslides triggered by Cyclone Arnab, which hit neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and severely affected southern areas of the eastern state.
The opposition party also demanded a complete waiver of agricultural loans for farmers in Ganjam district, alleging that the cyclone and subsequent floods had severely damaged crops and affected their livelihoods.
The demands were made by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das, who led a party delegation on a visit to flood-hit Ganjam district.
Das met the families of those killed and injured in a landslide at Ghidipabali village under Bhanjanagar block, along the Kandhamala-Ganjam district border.
The meeting was held on the premises of Bajrakota Upper Primary School.
At least seven bodies have been recovered from the landslide site in the hilltop village, while search and rescue operations were underway to trace six other missing persons, an official said.
A total of 13 people were initially reported missing after the landslide struck the village on the night of October 28, while another 13 managed to escape. Seven bodies have so far been recovered, the official said.
In a separate landslide in Raikia block of Kandhamala district, a couple and their child were killed during the cyclone.
Of the 11 deaths reported in Odisha due to Cyclone Arnab, 10 took place because of landslides, while one person was swept away by floodwaters in Gajapati district.
“We demand Rs 20 lakh in compensation and rehabilitation for each family of landslide victims, along with assistance for those injured in the incident,” Das said in a statement.
The Congress leader also met the families of two farmers who allegedly died by suicide following crop losses caused by the calamity.
Sharing his observations after visiting Asika, Bhanjanagar, Sorada and Sheragada blocks, Das said Ganjam was among the worst-affected districts and claimed that the cyclone and subsequent floods could have caused damage worth Rs 5,000 crore, including losses to agricultural crops and property.
The Congress delegation also visited markets and business establishments affected by the floods, interacted with traders and assessed the extent of the damage.
Preliminary estimates indicated that businesses in Asika alone had suffered losses exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, the party claimed.
The delegation also alleged that the distribution of cooked food had stopped at several locations and that many relief centres lacked adequate space and basic necessities for people taking shelter there.
Das said the assistance of Rs 2,526 crore sought by the state government from the Centre would be insufficient to meet the needs of flood-affected people.
He demanded compensation of at least 50 per cent of the value of lost crops, calculated on the basis of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a complete waiver of agricultural loans for farmers in Ganjam district and temporary free bus services in flood-affected areas.
Das and the Congress delegation are scheduled to visit Gajapati district Saturday.
