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Jyotirmaya Rath
Bhubaneswar: The Water Resources Department has incurred a loss of Rs 87 crore due to the Cyclone ‘Yaas’ and heavy rain in the aftermath of the storm that battered the vast areas of north Odisha.
Water Resources Department Chief engineer Jyotirmaya Rath said that the department handed over the preliminary damage assessment report to the State government and the losses estimated at Rs 87 crore.
“The major water projects and saline embankments in coastal region suffered a loss of Rs 69.18 crore. Similarly, the department incurred 66 crore loss in drainage, Rs 2.63 crore in lift-irrigation projects and Rs 7.08 crore in medium irrigation projects,” Rath said.
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Many places in Balasore district are still marooned due to heavy rain in the aftermath of the cyclone and high tidal waves. Detailed assessment on the damages couldn’t be carried out due to inundation, he added.
The water is expected to recede by tomorrow and thereafter the assessment on damage can be expedited, he said adding the amount of the losses may increase during the final assessment report.
A total of 77 breaches had been reported in various embankments out of which 35 breaches including big and small one have been completely repaired, he added.
The saline embankments in Balasore district suffered huge damages due to the cyclone and rain.
As the monsoon is approaching, mending of all weak embankments and river bunds will be carried out on a war-footing basis, Rath added.
It worth mentioning that very severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ which had hit the north Odisha coast in Balasore on May 26 had left a trail of destruction in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj districts.
May low-lying areas were water logged due to incessant rain induced by the cyclone and high tidal waves under the influence of the phenomenon. Severe damages were also caused to electricity department and poles were uprooted and wires are snapped due to wind at several places of the north Odisha districts.