Bhubaneswar: The three-member team of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which reviewed the restoration and rehabilitation works in cyclone Fani-affected districts, today lauded Odisha government's efforts to tackle the cyclonic storm Fani which hit the State on May 3.
After holding a meeting with the Chief Secretary AP Padhi and secretaries of different departments and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupad Sethi, NDMA member Kamal Kisore today said, "Odisha has done a remarkable job in tackling cyclone Fani. Apart from issuing early warnings, the Odisha government also evacuated the people to safer locations on time. The cyclone shelter homes were properly put to use."
Kisore, however, said that a lot needs to be done in restoration of the power, telecom and housing sector. "A lot of restoration works have to be done in the power sector. The restoration and rehabilitation work is underway on a war-footing. Centre will provide necessary technical assistance to restore power, telecom and housing sectors in the State," he added.
Odisha Chief Secretary said, "We discussed mostly on three major issues - power sector, telecom sector and housing sectors. During the meeting, we urged them to help us in all these sectors and extend more assistance to State through National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)."
Padhi further said that the fund of Rs 1,000 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was exhausted and requested for early release of Rs 5,200 crore from the NDRF.
The Special Relief Commissioner appraised that around 1.35 lakh houses were damaged fully or severely while 1.4 lakh pucca and 1.72 kutcha houses were damaged partially.
Crop loss to the extent of 33 per cent and above took place in 1.46 lakh hectare because of the cyclone and heavy rainfall.
The NDMA team visited different cyclone-affected areas in Khurda and Puri districts during its two-day Odisha tour.
With IANS input