Bhubaneswar, November 1: Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, has directed Executive Officers (EOs) of all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to intensify post-cyclone restoration efforts, ensure timely reporting, and closely monitor the situation until normalcy is fully restored across the affected areas.

The EOs have been instructed to submit detailed reports on the measures undertaken by their respective ULBs, including road repairs, relief operations, restoration of essential services, sanitation and other rehabilitation activities. They have also been asked to highlight additional initiatives undertaken at the local level and identify specific requirements for support from the State Government or other agencies.

Stressing the need for a compassionate and people-centric approach, Padhee urged the EOs to go beyond their administrative responsibilities and extend direct assistance to affected citizens and families, acting as friendly neighbours during this challenging period.

She called upon ULBs to mobilise Community Organisers (COs), Sahajog Saathis and sanitation workers to provide on-ground support to affected households. The assistance may include cleaning cyclone-affected houses with the help of sanitation workers, ensuring drinking water supply in inaccessible areas, helping families resume their daily activities and facilitating eligible beneficiaries in accessing government relief assistance.

Padhee also encouraged EOs and field-level teams to document and share their experiences and positive stories of community engagement, highlighting acts of kindness, solidarity and dedicated public service during the recovery and restoration process.

Emphasising that disaster recovery must go hand in hand with empathy and human sensitivity, the Additional Chief Secretary said that administrative efficiency alone is not enough. Every effort must be made to ensure that affected families receive timely assistance and that no household is left behind in the ongoing restoration process.