Bhubaneswar: The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, on Tuesday reviewed the situation arising out of the whirlwind that struck Mayurbhanj district and set a two-day deadline for the completion of key relief measures, officials said.
The minister chaired a high-level review meeting attended by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue & DM) Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, senior officials, and Mayurbhanj Collector Hema Kanta Say to assess the damage and ongoing response.
According to official estimates, the whirlwind affected 3,217 people across nine villages in Karanjia block. Around 2,200 residents were evacuated and shifted to six relief camps. As many as 512 houses, including 423 fully kutcha and 89 severely damaged kutcha houses, were damaged in the disaster. Two persons lost their lives, while 38 others sustained injuries. Nearly 111 hectares of crop area were also affected.
Relief operations are underway in full swing, with free cooked food being served to inmates in all six operational camps. Authorities have distributed 1,450 polythene sheets, while drinking water is being supplied through tankers and bottled sources. Three medical teams and four fire service teams have been deployed for healthcare support and search and rescue operations.
A field visit to the affected areas was conducted on March 16 by Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia and senior officials to take stock of the ground situation. The state government has released Rs 5.70 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) towards house-building assistance, supply of essential items, and management of relief camps.
During the meeting, the minister directed officials to deploy nodal officers in affected villages for better coordination and ensure that free kitchens continue at central locations, schools, and anganwadi centres. He stressed the need for expeditious assessment of damages, particularly for house-building assistance and agricultural input subsidy.
The minister also instructed that restoration of essential services such as drinking water, electricity, and road connectivity be taken up on priority. ODRAF and fire service teams have been asked to assist in restoration work, while additional health camps will be organised with special focus on vulnerable groups, including pregnant women.
Emphasising law and order, the minister directed the district administration to enhance police patrolling in affected areas. He also asked officials to complete the distribution of polythene sheets at the earliest and ensure that house-building assistance is disbursed to beneficiaries within the stipulated two-day timeframe.
