Despite his ill health, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan to assess the impact of the whirlwind that struck Karanjia block in Mayurbhanj district on March 15.
The minister instructed officials to treat the situation with utmost seriousness and ensure swift assistance reaches every affected family. “The state government is fully committed to the safety of the people,” he said, directing the appointment of nine nodal officers — one for each affected village — to complete damage assessment and distribute compensation at the earliest.
Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue & Disaster Management) Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee is personally supervising all operations. The Special Relief Commissioner’s office has already released ₹5.70 crore from the State Disaster Management Fund for house reconstruction, supply of clothes and utensils, and running relief camps.
Cyclone Impact at a Glance
- 5 gram panchayats and 9 villages affected in Karanjia block
- 3,217 people affected
- 2,200 persons safely evacuated
- 512 houses damaged
- 6 relief centres are operational with cooked food being served since March 15 night
- Polythene sheets distributed; 2 medical teams and 4 fire service squads deployed
- Continuous drinking water supply through tankers and bottles
The Additional Special Relief Commissioner visited the affected areas on March 16 for an on-ground assessment. Damage evaluation is continuing.
The meeting was attended by Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior officers of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central Division), and the Mayurbhanj District Collector, along with his team via video conference.
