Centre admits Destruction by Cyclone Hudhud in Odisha

The inter-ministerial central team that visited the Cyclone affected areas of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, admitted that Hudhud caused heavy destruction in Odisha. They will submit a report on the devastation to the Ministry of Home Affairs within a fortnight. “We feel damage was heavy in worst hit districts though the team visited selected places. The affected people were mostly tribal who lost houses and crops due to the calamity,” said Gopal Krishan Dwivedi, who led the eight-member team.

The central team took a note all damages caused by the cyclone. They saw damaged houses and roads. Apart from that, they also noted the extensive damage caused to maize cultivation. The state government has urged the central team to submit the report as soon as possible so that the restoration work can be expedited.

Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra told the central team that Odisha Government is yet to receive the balance money of Rs 399.83 crore under NDRF, which was sanctioned during the Cyclone Phailin in 2013. The state government had sought an assistance of Rs 777.12 crore for restoration and rehabilitation work in 22 districts hit by Cyclone Phailin. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during his visit to New Delhi, had met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and sought an assistance of Rs 500 crore towards the damages caused by Cyclone Hudhud.