Cyclone Dana aftermath: San electricity, Odisha villagers pay Rs 20/hr to charge mobile phones

Cyclone Dana left a trail of destruction, causing widespread flooding and wind damage in Odisha after making landfall somewhere between Bhitarkanika in the Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak. The cyclone mostly impacted the districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore in Odisha, resulting in flash floods, power outages and uprooting of trees and electric poles.

Though the cyclone left no casualties, it disrupted normal public life. Most villages are in the dark in the cyclone-affected districts, mostly Bhadrak are reeling under darkness as electric poles have been uprooted.

Even as the restoration is going on in full swing, locals here have to go through unwanted problems due to power outages.  Few businessmen in the area now taking advantage of the vulnerable condition. As per early reports, villagers in Nuagaon under Basudevpur block are paying Rs 20/hr to charge their mobile phones.

Using generators, they are charging mobile phones but taking Rs 20/hr. With no other option, people here are forced to pay the money and get their mobile phones charged.

“We request the Energy department to restore the electricity connection in our village. We are being charged Rs 20/hr to charge our mobile phones. Our plight has become business for some people here,” alleged a local.

Similarly, another local said, “As there is no electricity connection, all our phones are switched off. We are not able to talk to anyone or inform them about our condition. Moreover, students need mobile phones for their online studies.”

“Several electric poles have been uprooted and electric wires have been snapped since last three-four days. We are living in the dark since Cyclone Dana hit the district,” shared another local.