ONI Bureau: After initial reluctance, the Odisha Government has finally admitted that 14 people were confirmed dead in the landslide triggered by Cyclone Titli in Baraghara village of Gangabada gram panchayat of Rayagad block of Gajapati district and two people are still missing, chances of whose survival are bleak.
With 16 people losing their lives in the landslide and the casualties crossing 30 with more deaths reported due to floods and wall collapse, rest of Odisha, which was under the initial impression that Cyclone Titli did not cause much damage, is mourning the loss of lives.
As reporters reached the village, the villagers narrated their horrific story. They had no clues about any Cyclone or its possible impact. When rains lashed the area and high speed winds started blowing, the scared villagers went inside a cave to save themselves. Unfortunately, a landslide occurred and all of them were swept away by flash floods. 12 dead bodies were recovered later.
While the administration failed to know what happened for 24 hours, they struggled for another 48 hours to reach the village. While Zee Kalinga TV Channel and BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra were the first to break the news of this tragedy last night, Ministers, Officials and even some TV channels refused to believe it or just ignored. They were forced to admit when the visuals and eyewitness accounts emerged.
While the Government and Administration are accused of indifference and callousness, senior leaders have spoken out on this issue.
“60 lakh people have been affected by #CycloneTitli. I pray to Lord Jagannath for everyone’s safety. #BJD should be ashamed of itself for being so unprepared despite so many warnings and putting so many people at risk,” tweets PCC President Niranjan Patnaik.
“#Odisha govt has failed to tackle situation post #CycloneTitli; relief materials have not even reached CM’s constituency; had the govt been prepared, helicopter and NDRF teams would have been kept ready for relief and rescue operations in advance,” said BJP Spokesperson Golak Mohapatra.
“#Odisha govt was not fully prepared to face #CycloneTitli; lakhs of people were rescued during Phailin & Hudhud with 1 or 2 casualties but more than dozen have reportedly lost their lives following this calamity,” said former MP Baijayant Panda.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condoled the deaths owing to landslide in Gajapati district saying his sympathies are with the bereaved families.
Reporters and BJP team who visited the village today, confirmed that there was no proper road communication, no help from the government to the affected people. The dead bodies are scattered all over. The survivors are still without food, medicines, tarpaulins, clean drinking water or any relief materials and awaiting the government support.
17 people killed in Gajapati District during Cyclone Titli: Bhrugu Baxipatra