In Odisha, the rehabilitation and restoration works in the severe-cyclone-affected regions of coastal districts are in full swing after the storm snapped power lines in several areas, uprooted a large number of big trees and electric poles, damaged thatched, asbestos houses and crop loss in thousands hectares of paddy fields.
The severe-cyclone ‘Dana’ had made landfall in the intervening night of last Thursday and Friday between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dharma in Odisha coast.
In the latest bulletin, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the cyclonicic system has now diminished to a well-marked low-pressure area in the northern parts of Odisha.
It is expected to weaken further and become negligible within the next 12 hours. The districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj in Odisha have experienced heavy rainfall due to the system’s impact. The rainfall is expected to persist in various parts of the state influenced by the cyclonic system.
Akashvani correspondent reports, The severe cyclone’s impact on property and agriculture has been significant. The Odisha government has initiated a comprehensive damage assessment, expected to be completed within seven days.
As per the preliminary assessment, over 2.8 lakh hectares of agricultural land is submerged in water and standing crops in 1.75 lakh hectares have been severely affected by the impact of ‘Dana’. A central team, along with a state team, will visit the affected areas to assess the crop loss.
The severe cyclonic storm has also caused extensive damage to several houses in different parts of Odisha. The state government has declared people who lost their homes in the cyclone will be provided with pucca houses.
‘Dana’ also inflicted damage to the existing power infrastructure in the affected districts where it made landfall or passed close. Works are going on in full swing to restore power in the districts affected by the cyclone and are expected to be completed by today. Odisha will submit a detailed loss report caused by the severe cyclone to Centre within seven days for financial assistance.
Meanwhile, incessant rains for the last few days caused by ‘Dana’ has created apprehensions of flood in low-lying areas of the Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.
The water level of Budhabalanga, Subarnakreha and Jamibhiara rivers has risen. Budhabalanga river is flowing above the danger level. The administration is prepared to address any emergency arising out of floods in Budhabalanga and other rivers in the Mayurbhanj district.