Bhubaneswar: Following the landfall of cyclone ‘Daye’, Malkangiri district has been mainly affected along with Ganjam district. But no casualty has been reported and situation is improving.
Briefing media at the State Secretariat here, Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi informed, “Situation is improving. After some hours, it will further improve and situation will limp back to normalcy.”
He said, “As per the previous information, cyclone ‘Daye’ had its landfall last midnight near Gopalpur. After that, it will turn into deep depression and depression. Now it is near around Titilagarh. Thus, it will trigger rains in the interior districts. After that, the situation will be normal.”
“As per the report on rains in the last 24 hours available with us, 33 blocks have experienced above 100 mm rainfall. Due to this cyclone followed by rains, Malkangiri district has mainly been affected. In the last 24 hours, Malkangiri district has experienced 166.25 mm rainfall. While 403 mm in Korkunda block, 265 mm in Malkangiri block and other blocks have also experienced more rainfall,” informed the SRC.
He further informed, “Following the heavy rainfall, two villages of Malkangiri block and three colonies of the Malkangiri town were inundated. In Korkunda block, two villages were affected by water. Poteru village still remains marooned. Two low level bridges connect Poteru and water is flowing over it. About 150 villagers of Poteru were rescued, accommodated at a safe place and district administration will take care of the relief operations. The market place of Poteru is also submerged. Besides, the roads connecting Poteru, Balimela, Kalimela, Malkangiri etc are lying cut-off from rest of the world. Landslide has been reported from Chitrakonda.”
He added, “As the people of Malkangiri have been affected, Rs 60 per day for each adult person and Rs 45 per day is being provided as gratuitous relief for seven days. This has been directed by the Chief Minister. The district administration has been instructed to do so by means of cash transfer to their bank accounts forthwith. Also free kitchen facility will be provided besides other relief measures as per SDRF norms.”
He also informed, “585 persons have been evacuated from Chikiti, Ganjam and Rangeiluda block in Ganjam district last night. About 16000 pucca houses were built under the Odisha Disaster Recovery Project. Those persons were in those houses were found safe even amid the inclement weather condition.”
“The Chief Minister has directed us that there should not be any loss of life. We have been successful in achieving the ‘zero casualty mission’ of our Odisha. No person has been dead or injured in this cyclonic effect followed by rains,” the SRC stated.
PNN