Kendrapara: Within seconds, cyclone Fani took everything away from the family of Khirod Behera of Raghudeipur in Kendrapara district, including the house which he had built after years of struggle. With no other option, Khirod’s family of four has now turned a toilet their home for the past 15 days.
Khirod’s family has been rendered homeless after the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani hit Kendrapara and other parts of the State on May 3. He saw his house crumble in the strong winds and with it all the hopes and aspirations which his family had weaved from inside the four walls of their home together, were also shattered.
“We stayed at a school for two days and when we returned we saw our world has turned upside down as our house was grounded in the cyclone. We are now forced to stay in the toilet,” said Khirod.
Khirod’s wife Rangalata is worried over the fate of her two daughters who are facing a lot of difficulties post cyclone Fani. Somehow Rangalata’s daughters spend time during the daytime by taking shelter outside or at neighbour’s place, but they face numerous problems in spending nights inside the 4-feet toilet.
“After completing the daily chores, my daughters are spending time on the verandah of others or outside. Only government assistance can help us to overcome this situation,” said Rangalata.
However, despite all odds, Khirod’s younger daughter Anusuya has not left hope. She is determined to change her fate and has not snapped ties with her books - though she is aggrieved over the lack of assistance for the poor.
“We are poor and who will listen to us? If we sleep inside the toilet, my parents have to sleep outside. So far, we have not received any government assistance,” said Anusuya.
Though Khirod had approached the senior district administration officials for a pucca house and old age pension, it seems that his pleas fell on deaf ears.
After the plight of the poor family was brought to the notice of the district administration, they have assured to look into the matter.
Dillip Parida, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) said, “We have not received any written complaints that he (Khirod) has not received assistance. We will certainly conduct an inquiry to ensure that adequate assistance is provided to the beneficiary including the assistance for cyclone Fani.”