Bhubaneswar: A Central team will visit Odisha from November 24 to 27 to evaluate the damage caused by Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Dana.’
The seven-member team, led by P.K. Rai, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, will assess the cyclone’s impact on various sectors and prepare a comprehensive report.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari shared details about the visit, highlighting its importance in determining the financial assistance required for recovery efforts. The team will first tour Bhadrak district on November 25, followed by visits to Balasore and Kendrapada, the three districts most severely affected by the cyclone.
After completing their field visits, the team will return to Bhubaneswar on November 26 to hold discussions with senior state officials. They are also expected to meet Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The Central government’s financial aid will be based on the damage assessment reports submitted by both the Odisha government and the Central team.
Minister Pujari emphasized the state government’s proactive measures to address the recurring challenges posed by natural disasters. He underscored the efforts to construct cyclone-resilient infrastructure and housing with support from the Central government to minimize future damages.
The Odisha government had already disbursed ₹423 crore on November 6 as compensation for damages in the cyclone-affected districts. Cyclone Dana impacted 41 lakh people across 11,637 villages in 14 districts, with Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapada experiencing the brunt of the storm’s fury. Balasore was particularly hard-hit by post-cyclone flooding, which compounded the damage.
The Central team’s evaluation is expected to play a critical role in the release of additional financial aid and support to help the affected regions recover and rebuild.
