The Cyclone Phailin has triggered widespread destruction across Odisha. The official death toll has now reached 25 with 9 deaths in Ganjam. However, unofficial death toll stands at 30 with maximum 18 casualties reported from the Ganjam district. Other deaths were reported from Jagatsinghpur (1), Puri (3), Nayagarh (2), Khordha (1), Bhadrak (1), Balangir (1) and Balasore (3). Four more died in Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak due to floods.
At least 12 districts, including Ganjam, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Gajapati, Kendrapara and Jajpur have been worst-affected. Some areas in Balangir, Jharsuguda, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur and Keonjhar also got affected. Around 97 lakh people have been affected, while 14,514 villages suffered heavy losses. 39 ULBs were badly affected.
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Over six lakh hectares of farm land were damaged by the cyclone. The estimated loss could be Rs 4,510 crore. The power companies lost over Rs 500 crore in the cyclonic storm. In total, five lakh houses have been completely destroyed.
The State Government has undertaken the relief, rehabilitation and restoration work on a war footing. Severely affected families will get 14 days’ relief with 50 kg rice and Rs 400 for dal. Other affected families will get 25 kg rice and Rs 200 for dal. The fishermen will get 10 kg rice extra.
Meanwhile, flood situation has worsened in Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak districts. The water level in Budhabalanga, Jalaka, Rushikulya and Subarnrekha are flowing above the danger mark, threatening severe floods and destruction in the next couple of days. Similarly, many other small rivers such as Sona, Gangahar, Kansa and Bausa are also in spate. In Baripada, flood waters have entered the town. Even the Mahanadi Delta may witness floods if the rain continues.
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