World Bank team visited cyclone-hit Ganjam district

Berhampur: A World Bank team has visited the cyclone Phailin affected Ganjam district and discussed with the district administration about restoration works in the ravaged areas.

The team led by World Bank Country director Onno Ruhl also visited the cyclone-shelter centre at Prayagi, near the river Rushikulya mouth, on Tuesday.

"We have presented required information about the cyclone before the team," said district collector Prem Chandra Choudhary.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has recently approved a 153 million US dollar credit to the state government to help the state to rebuilt disaster resilient houses.

The state government has proposed to construct pucca houses within 5 km from the coast and in the bank of Chilika Lake in Ganjam and Puri districts, official sources said.

The administration of Ganjam district, worst hit in the cyclone in October 12 last year, has identified around 18,000 families in 113 villages for their rehabilitation in pucca houses with the World Bank funding, the sources said.