Odisha CS urges Central team to release funds for ‘Titli’ affected areas early

(Bhubaneswar, Nov 2): Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi today urged the Central inter-ministerial team that visited the areas affected by very severe cyclone ‘Titli’ and the subsequent floods in Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada districts.

The request was made when the Central Team, after visiting the cyclone, flood and landslide affected areas in Odisha, interacted with State Government in a wrap up meeting chaired by Padhi.

Appraising the team about damaged caused by the cyclone TITLI and subsequent very heavy rainfall,   the Chief Secretary requested the Central Team for early release of the second  installment of SDRF which is due for Odisha by December, 2018. This amount comes around Rs 390 crore, Padhi said.

He further requested the team for release an advance of Rs 1000 crore  from NDRF for carrying forward the rehabilitation activities. The cost of the damage caused by TITLI and the flood has been estimated around Rs.2780 Cr.

 The Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi presented whole situation ranging from warning of the cyclone to evacuation, rescue, relief and restoration of normalcy. He appraised that on cyclone warning from IMD, massive evacuation and preparatory operations were taken up in vulnerable areas.

He further appraised that a total number of 17 districts, 128 blocks, 8691 villages, 36 ULBs have been affected by the very severe cyclone TITLI and flood.

Around 60.31 lakh population have been affected. Massive and unprecedented damage has been caused to private houses and crop in agricultural field. The public properties like canal/river embankment, roads, bridges, drains, water supply schemes, tube wells, LI points, electrical installations, telecommunication infrastructure and Government buildings have also been damaged severely, he said.

The Government has made all out efforts to restore normalcy in shortest possible time. Sri Sethi also reiterated the requirement of funds for rehabilitation activities.

 The Central Team was led by joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs SK Shahi. The other members of the team who participated in the discussions were Vandana Singha, Virender Singh, GR Zagar and RB Kaul.