Bhubaneswar: In a major relief and rehabilitation initiative, the Odisha Government has sanctioned Rs.482.42 crore for the repair, reconstruction and restoration of public infrastructure damaged by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and the subsequent heavy rainfall and floods in six districts of the state.
The funds have been sanctioned to the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), with the objective of expediting restoration work and ensuring the early resumption of essential public services in the affected areas.
Ganjam district, which suffered the most extensive damage, has received the highest allocation of Rs.306.54 crore. Gajapati district has been sanctioned Rs.109.97 crore, followed by Kandhamal with Rs.42.57 crore, Nuapada with Rs.15.08 crore and Nabarangpur with Rs.7.78 crore. Rayagada district has been allocated Rs.97.60 lakh.
Cyclone Arnab, accompanied by heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, caused extensive damage to public infrastructure across the six districts. Several essential facilities were affected, disrupting daily life and creating difficulties for people in the disaster-hit areas.
The damaged infrastructure includes school buildings, community halls, Gram Panchayat offices, Anganwadi centres, Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti roads, bridges, culverts, health sub-centres, drinking water projects and tube wells.
The sanctioned amount will be utilised for repairing and reconstructing these damaged facilities to ensure the restoration of basic amenities and essential public services. Special emphasis will be placed on restoring drinking water supply and road connectivity, which are crucial for the daily needs and livelihoods of people in the affected regions.
Official sources said the financial assistance would significantly accelerate restoration and rehabilitation activities, enabling the affected communities to regain access to essential services at the earliest.