Bhubaneswar, September 30: The Odisha Government will complete the flood damage assessment soon and provide compensation to the affected people before Durga Puja, said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday.
Pujari today chaired a meeting with the Collectors of the affected districts on virtual mode to take stock of the situation.
“Southern districts, including Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Malkangiri, were among the worst affected, while parts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi and Bargarh also reported damage. In the latest phase, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and other coastal districts were hit by flooding,” Pujari told reporters after the meeting.
He said that water has started receding in the affected areas, but complete clearance could take another six to seven days.
“The Collectors briefed us the extent of damage and the progress of the ongoing relief and drainage operations. Officials have been directed to expedite damage assessment so that compensation can be disbursed before Durga Puja,” said Pujari.
The Minister said that the State has so far witnessed 12 cyclonic storms this year, five of which developed into depressions, affecting almost all districts of the State. A total of 28 districts has been reported damage to certain extent.
The Government has allocated Rs 241.37 crore for relief, with the Special Relief Commissioner sanctioning an additional Rs 20 crore yesterday. The total allocation has now reached Rs 261.37 crore, said Pujari.
Kendrapara has received Rs 16.40 crore, of which Rs 11.21 crore has been allocated and spent. Jajpur has received Rs 52.04 crore under various compensation heads. In Balasore, only Rs 5.5 crore has been distributed so far as floodwaters continue to remain in several areas.
