Malkangiri: Strong wind accompanied by rain and thunder caused by norwester wreaked havoc in several areas of Malkangiri district today. The strong wind that lasted only about five minutes left a trail of destruction in the district.
Two fishermen went missing while fishing in Satiguda Dam after their boats in which they were fishing in the reservoir capsized due to wind in the afternoon. They have been identified as Govind Sarddar and Tulasi Madhi of Bhima Rangini village in the district.
Fire fighters and ODRAF team launched a search operation in the water body to trace the missing fishermen.
On the other hand, the norwester destroyed several kutcha and asbestoses houses. Trees were uprooted at many places disrupting vehicular communication. Electric wires were snapped and poles were damaged in the disaster causing massive power disruption.
Meanwhile, Collector Vishal Singh directed fire services officials and ODRAF personnel to expedite the rescue and relief operation. The team cleared the road by cutting the broken trees while electricity officials swung into action to restore normalcy.
The fire service personnel, ODRAF team and electricity personnel have stepped up operation on a war footing to restore normalcy. Revenue officials have visited the Satiguda and nearby villages to take stock of the situation. Polythene sheets were distributed to the families those lost their houses in the calamity.
Additional Collector, Sub-collector, Tehsildar and other administrative officials are monitoring the situation on the spot. Damages are being assessed. A report in this regard will be submitted soon to the Collector, they said.
Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) directed the Koraput ODRAF unit to rush to Malkangiri and launch a search operation to rescue the fishermen gone missing in Satiguda dam.
The SRC also instructed the TPSODL authorities to ensure power restoration at the earliest and asked Collector to submit report on damage by Friday.
