45 days since cyclone Fani, power supply yet to be restored in Puri village

Pipili: Even after 45 days to the cyclone Fani, many people in Puri district are forced to live in dark as power supply is yet to be restored in their respective areas. Despite tall claims of the State government of restoring power supply to most of parts of the district, the ground reality presents a totally different story.

The residents of Nirmala village near Pipili are still waiting for the restoration of power supply to the area. Neither any official from the Electricity department has visited the village nor has any step been taken so far to restore power supply. Repeated appeals have fallen on deaf ears as uprooted electric poles and snapped wires speak volumes about state of affairs at the village.

Hot and humid weather conditions certainly compounded the miseries of the people here.

“The villagers have been appealing Electricity department officials to restore power supply. Despite false assurances, no concrete action has been taken by the officials. As a result, we collected Rs 200 from each family in the village and erected some electric poles on our own,” said a resident of Nirmala village.

Another Cyclone Fani victim Pradip said, “We would have repaired our houses, if we had received some government help. Non restoration of power supply even after so many days since the cyclone hit the village has added to our woes.”

As schools are going to reopen on June 19 after summer vacation, the villagers who have taken shelter at such educational institutions are now a worried lot. Over 15 families in the village have been taking shelter in the school building since Cyclone Fani damaged their houses on May 3.

“As my house was damaged in the cyclone, I have taken shelter in the school building. Paddy and other crops stored at the house were also damaged,” said Sanju Sethi, a local resident.