Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday initiated a comprehensive, time-bound survey to evaluate the extensive damage inflicted by heavy rains and landslides triggered by Cyclone Montha across several districts of the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state has instructed all district administrations to complete the damage assessment and submit detailed reports within the next 72 hours. The survey will cover losses to standing crops, houses, roads, public infrastructure, and farmlands.
“The process of estimating the damages caused by the heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone started today. We have instructed all district administrations to complete the damage assessment within three days,” Minister Pujari told mediapersons.
The cyclone struck at a critical time for the agricultural sector, coinciding with the harvesting season. This timing has led to significant damage to standing crops, particularly rice, cotton, and vegetables, in many areas where harvest was either ready or underway.
To expedite the process, the government will deploy a “task force” approach. Officials from revenue departments in districts that suffered minimal or no damage will be temporarily deputed to assist in the worst-hit areas.
“We have decided to mobilise revenue department officials from regions with negligible impact to expedite the estimation process in the affected zones,” Pujari added.
The minister also highlighted a new and concerning challenge emerging from the cyclone: landslides in hilly regions like Gajapati, which were not previously prone to such disasters.
“Landslides have become a new concern in certain parts of the state. We will carefully study their pattern and prepare an action plan to mitigate future risks,” Pujari stated.
He assured that the government will take immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for affected families once the assessment reports are in. District Collectors and departmental officers have been directed to remain on high alert and coordinate effectively to ensure the swift restoration of damaged infrastructure and essential services.
Looking ahead, the minister said the state will develop a dedicated disaster management strategy to better address secondary hazards like landslides caused by extreme weather events in the future.
