Two months on, 'Titli' hit victims still await compensation

Mayurbhanj: It has been 60 days since Cyclone Titli hit the district, but residents of several villages in the region are yet to get any compensation from the State government.

As per reports 23 families of Kundasahi village were rendered homeless after the cyclone on October 10. The victims managed to survive with whatever assistance they received on the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.

Later, even after the people submitted their names to the concerned authorities for availing compensation, they have not got any sort of assistance from the government.

"My house was battered by the cyclone and I have no place to live right now. It has been very tough to survive since then," Saraswati Behera, a cyclone affected resident said.

Another resident, Kuni Behera said, "We lost our only mud-thatched house and were assured of compensation, but even after two months, we are struggling with no place to go."

Not only that, farmers who bore the brunt of the cyclone and the subsequent floods are also awaiting the release of compensation amount promised by the government.

“Heavy rains under the impact of cyclone Titli have completely damaged my crops. We had given written complaints to the district administration but are yet to receive any compensation" , said a Titli affected farmer, Bhagabat Pati.

On the other hand, district emergency officer said that funds have already been released to the concerned Tehsildars and the compensation amount will be disbursed to the farmers soon.

"A total of 688 houses were damaged under the impact of Cyclone Titli. We have released the funds to the Tehsildars. The beneficiaries will receive the compensation after they furnish their bank account and other details" said, Baripada  Emergency Officer Sujay Kumar Pati.