50 days on, several Fani-hit villages in Puri still without electricity

Puri: Even though 50 days have passed since the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani hit coastal Odisha, people in several villages in Puri district are still forced to live in dark as power supply is yet to be restored.

Though normalcy has returned in some places of the district, power supply still eludes some places in Brahmagiri, Krushnaprasad and Konark areas.

The residents of Luniapadar village in Brahmagiri are still waiting for the restoration of power supply to the area. Though power restoration work in the locality is underway, nobody knows when the power supply will be restored.

The students of these areas are the worst sufferers as the new academic season started. They are now forced to study under the dim light of candles or kerosene lamp.

"There is no power supply in the village after the cyclone Fani hit the State on May 3. The government officials are also tight lipped as to when the entire works for the power restoration will be completed," said Prasana Kumar Swain, a resident of Luniapadar village.

"The children are facing problems in their studies," said Bisnupriya Barik, a resident of Baghamunda village in Krushnaprasad area.

The nearby villages of Konark and Chilika are also facing similar problems due to lack of power supply.

Villages in Ward Number-13 of Konark NAC, including Behuhna, Birijanga and Arakud are yet to get power supply in the aftermath of cyclone Fani.

Apart from the local residents, the tourists are also facing numerous problems at Satapada as power supply is also yet to be restored at the Yatrinivas.

"Almost one and a half month have passed since cyclone Fani hit Odisha, but no government officials have visited the village. However, the villagers on their own efforts are doing the restoration work and will complete job within a couple of days," said Banambar Barik, a resident of Konark's Behunha village.

"The local residents as well as the tourists are facing problems as there is no electricity in Satapada area," said Prashant Mohapatra, a jetty rider at Satapada.