Bhubaneswar: Life is yet to return to normal in several areas of Odisha after Cyclone Dana, which wreaked havoc after its landfall between Bhitarkanika in the Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak. While the authorities are working overtime to restore normalcy in the affected areas, power outages are yet to be restored in all the villages. Many people in Bhadrak district are still living in darkness.
Taking advantage of the situation, few businessmen in Bhadrak, especially villagers in Nuagaon under Basudevpur block, are charging Rs 20/hr from people to recharge their mobile phones.
These businessmen are using generators to enable people to recharge their mobile phones in lieu of Rs 20/hr. With no other option, people here are forced to pay the money and get their mobile phones charged.
According to locals, they have requested the Energy department to restore the electricity connection in the village. “Currently, we are being charged Rs 20/hr to charge our mobile phones. Our plight has become business for some people here,” alleged a local.
Incidentally, several electric poles have been uprooted and electric wires have been snapped since last three-four days. We are living in the dark since Cyclone Dana hit the district.
