Sethi informed that a total of 8,125 villages under 128 blocks of 17 districts have been affected by the natural calamity. "More than 60 lakh people have been affected and crops in 2.63 lakh hectares farmland damaged by Cyclone Titli and its aftermath," said the SRC.
In Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, 56,930 houses have been damaged. Of them, 20,422 houses were completely damaged whereas 36, 508 houses have been partially damaged.
This apart, 34,951 domestic animals have died due to the impact of Titli, he said.
"Priority is being given on relief and restoration works in the affected areas. As many as 54 doctors have been sent to the three districts while 86 medical relief centres set up in various areas. Apart from this, 82 mobile health teams have been engaged to disinfect water sources," the official added.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary AP Padhi had stated that a total of 52 persons lost their lives in the State in incidents post Cyclone Titli and flood situation with Gajapati district recording the highest number of deaths (39) followed by Ganjam district with 12 deaths.
"I would request you to kindly consider the grave situation in the State on account of the Very Severe Cyclone Storm "Titli" and its associated impacts and request you to please release an interim assistance of Rs 1000 crore to the State to enable taking up relief and restoration works of immediate nature," the letter reads.
The Chief Minister has also requested the prime minister to provide houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) as 57,131 houses have been reportedly destroyed.
"Besides keeping in view the fact that 57,131 houses of people have been damaged the Government of India may consider special allocation of 57,131 houses under PMAY," the letter reads.
On the other hand, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accused the State government of making false claims of keeping record of livestock deaths and restoring electricity.
Pradhan took to Twitter and wrote that he will soon submit a report on damage caused by cyclone Titli to PM Modi.
The State Govt. has been making false claims of keeping record of livestock deaths and restoring electricity. I will soon submit a report on #CycloneTitli and its damage to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. Assured the people of all possible help from the Union Government.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 18, 2018
According to reports, train services have been disrupted on Ambadala-Dahikhala railway section of Rayagada district.
As per reports, Santragachi-Chennai Express is halted at Muniguda station, whereas Tirupati-Bilaspur Express has been stopped at Bisamcuttack.
Similarly Gandhidham Express which is running from Nagercoil Junction in Tamil Nadu to Gandhidham in Gujarat is halted at Ambadala station.
Also Read: Cyclone Titli: Heavy rain cripples normal life across Odisha
As per sources, the railway authorities have started cleaning up of the railway tracks to restore normalcy in the traffic.
Reportedly, heavy rains under the impact of cyclone Titli continue to lash Odisha throwing normal life out of gear in the state since last 24 hours.
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.
Flood situation triggered in Budhabalanga and Gangahar River due to torrential rain has resulted in inundation of nearly 100 acres of the farming lands near Mangovindpur, Salanga and Manantri villages under Badasahi block.
However, failing to receive any response and assistance from the administration after the cyclone, the farmers of the Manantri village today staged a protest in front of Revenue Inspector office in the locality.
Despite concerns, officials are yet to visit the affected areas to take stock of the situation.
Similarly, thousands of farmers in Kumuti Penta, Maligan and Pentagan villages under Rayagada sub-division are in distress following the crop loss.
The situation in Balasore, Soro and Simulia blocks of Balasore district is no different as the cyclone Titli has damaged a major portion of paddy cultivation in the district.
The following trains have been cancelled, partially cancelled & rescheduled.
CANCELLATION:
Also Read: Cyclone Titli: Odisha Govt grappling to tackle post-cyclone situation in Odisha
RESCHEDULING:
Also Read: Train services disrupted as trees fall on rail tracks
PARTIAL CANCELLATION:
You May Like: Cyclone Titli: Heavy rain cripples normal life across Odisha
DIVERSION:
Also Read: Cyclone Titli: CM Reviews Flood Situation In 3 Districts
Apart from this, some trains are controlled enroute till position improves and it is declared safe to run trains in the cyclone affected area.
“The latest satellite observations indicate that the very severe cyclonic storm over west central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of about 6 hours and lay centred over westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 17.2 degree north and longitude 85.5 degree east, about 203 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 190 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, ” the bulletin said.
Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre Director HR Biswas said, "Very severe cyclonic storm Titli is likely to intensify further in next 12 hours. Wind speed of the storm during the landfall will be around 140 to 150 km per hour and gusting up to 165 km per pour in south coastal Odisha. Similarly, in north coastal Odisha, wind speed will be around 70 to 80 km per hour and gusting up to 90 km per hour. The stormy winds will continue to lash from today midnight till tomorrow afternoon, Biswas said.
'Thereafter, it is very likely to re-curve northeastwards, move towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and weaken gradually,' he said.
The weatherman further said that storm surge has been warned for three districts- Ganjam, Puri and Khurda.
"The districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Nayagarh & Puri are expected to be most affected with chances of major damage to thatched houses, crops & large avenue trees, power & communication lines is possible. Danger signal number - 4 has been hoisted at all ports. Fishermen advised not to venture into sea in view of storm surge till Oct 12," Biswas said.
The state government has announced closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts from today.
“Six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent to Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts and seven Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units have been deployed in Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kalahandi districts,” informed Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi.
Besides, the SRC has asked the Collectors of affected districts to ensure that 836 numbers of multi-purpose shelters are kept ready to accommodate maximum people and directed the officials to evacuate people in the risk zones if the situation demands.
Also Read: Bhubaneswar airport braces up for cyclone Titli
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued red alert and predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts in the next 24 hours.
Besides, orange warning and heavy to very heavy rainfall alert has been issued at isolated places in Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Bhadrak and Balasore districts till the morning of October 11.
The cyclone, which made landfall between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha early on Thursday, uprooted trees, electricity poles and communication towers and also damaged crops.
Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts were affected by the cyclone, which hit the coast near Palasa close to the border with Odisha. Srikakulam district bore the brunt as the strong winds uprooted a large number of coconut trees.
Officials said five deaths were reported from Srikakulam district while three persons were killed in neighbouring Vijayanagaram district. Six fishermen were among the dead.
Parts of the two districts received heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone.
Uprooted trees fell on the roads, disrupting the vehicular traffic. The state-owned road transport corporation suspended all bus services on the Andhra-Odisha border area.
Several trains were cancelled or diverted due to cyclone.
According to East Coast Railway, railway stations were damaged at several places. The station at Palasa suffered massive damage. Teams of railway officials were studying the impact of cyclone between Palasa and Brahmpur.
According to the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, Titli crossed between North Andhra and South Odisha coast near Palasa with wind speed of 140-150 km per hour.
Local cautionary signal number three kept hoisted at Kalingapatnam port but the warning was withdrawn from Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and other ports.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the cyclone situation at a meeting with top officials in Vijayawada. He directed officials to launch relief operations and closely monitor the situation.
#WATCH:Trees uprooted, property damaged in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam due to #TitliCyclone.The cyclone made landfall early morning today. pic.twitter.com/09Fjx8QwGI
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018
Seeking attention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh into the matter, Patnaik through a letter pointed out that the very severe cyclonic Storm ‘Titli’ which hit the State on October 10 causing flood and landslides had severely affected a vast population of about 60.31 lakh in 128 blocks under 17 districts of the State.
The State Government had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Government of India seeking central assistance of Rs 2023.13 crore against total requirement of Rs 2779.32 crore for relief and restoration measures.
Referring to a letter which he had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM stated “I had requested for release of an interim assistance of Rs 1000 crore pending final decision of the high level committee on the memorandum.”
He further stated that an inter-ministerial central team had also made an on-the-spot assessment of the damages during the first week of November. However, the State is yet to receive any assistance from the Central Government.
The CM maintained that the State Government had taken prompt action to provide required assistance to the affected population and for immediate restoration of the damaged infrastructure and services in the shortest possible time.
“An amount of Rs 1,689.13 crore was released for relief and restoration measures, exhausting the entire amount available in State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Hence, assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is urgently required for replenishing the SDRF and for undertaking the balance works,” added the CM.
According to reports, the flood water following the incessant rain triggered by cyclonic storm Titli entered the locker inside the strong room of the bank and inundated it for two days.
When the water receded after two days, officials of the bank were seen drying the notes under the sun in the building’s terrace.
The exact amount of the currency notes that got wet in the flood is yet to be established. On the other hand, bank authorities are yet to comment on the matter.
Thousands of farmers in Kumuti Penta, Maligan and Pentagan villages under Rayagada sub-division are in distress following the crop loss.
“The rain has immersed our paddy fields in water. We don't know what to do now,” lamented a farmer, K Rami Naidu.
The situation in Balasore, Soro and Simulia blocks in Balasore district is no different as the cyclone Titli has damaged a major portion of paddy cultivation in the district.
“Our paddy fields have got completely destroyed in the rain. Neither do the officials of the district administration nor any members of political parties are coming to review the situation or with any assistance,” said a resident of Kabirpur, Bibhubhusan Behera.
On the other hand, farmers of Srijang, Kuligaon, Tundra, Maharajpur and Inchudia villages of Remuna block in the district are in immense pressure as pest-attack after the flood has become their major concern now. The farmers alleged that even though they are using pesticides in the plants, it is of little help.
“After rain, pest-attack has added to our woes. We work hard and spend money in farming; if we do not get any profit out of it, then we will have to leave cultivation and work as wage labourers,” rued a farmer, Niranjan Biswal.
“The ‘Manjara’ pests are destroying our crops. I have been repeatedly visiting the block office for pesticides, but the officials there are denying citing its unavailability,” alleged another farmer, Radhakrushna Pradhan.
Meanwhile, agriculture officer of Remuna block, Pratirekha Mahalik said, “We are giving pesticides and sprayers at 50 per cent subsidy. This year, we had sought 75 sprayers, so far 26 have come and the rest will also be available soon.”
Patnaik through video conferencing talked to the collectors of three districts Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada, which are the worst affected regions post the cyclone.
The CM after reviewing the situation asked the concerned district Collectors to expedite rescue operations and provide cooked food to the affected people for the next 7 days. He also directed to focus on early restoration of power supply and emergency services.
The Chief Minister has also asked the collectors to submit crop and house damage assessment reports within seven days.
Even though the very severe cyclonic storm Titli failed to cause major damages in the State, the incessant rain since Thursday has triggered flood in Rushikulya, Bada and Bahuda rivers.
As a result, many areas including Aska and Purushottampur towns in Ganjam district have remained marooned under water.
“A total of 14 NDRF and 12 ODRF teams have been deployed for rescue operation. Six teams each of NDRF and ODRF has been engaged in Gajapati district while four each have been deployed in Ganjam and one each in Rayagada district” informed Chief Secretary Aditya Padhi after the review meeting.
#FloodFury after #TitliCyclone: #Odisha urges Centre to provide two helicopters for carrying out rescue and relief operations; Chief Secretary AP Padhi says the choppers from Vishakhapatnam will be used for operations at Aska and Purusottampur in #Ganjam district pic.twitter.com/sLJwTkO31w
— OTV (@otvnews) October 12, 2018
“As floodwater has marooned Aska and Purushottampur in Ganjam district, we requested the officials of Navy to carry out the rescue operation in the towns. Besides, we have also requested the concerned authorities to send two helicopters from Visakhapatnam for rescue and relief operations in the areas,” added Padhi.
Padhi further stated, “Efforts are on to restore power supply in areas of Ganjam district except Aska and Purushottampur within 48 hours.”
Similarly, road and electricity restoration work were also in full swing in the Gajapati and Rayagada districts.
Reacting to casualty reports, the Chief Secretary said: "We have seen media reports of the deaths of two or three persons in these districts. We are verifying it."
In the meantime, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi today informed that the Cyclone Titli is presently laying centered at some 30 km of northeast of Kandhamal and between Angul districts. It is expected to cross Odisha by evening today due to which heavy rainfall is likely in coastal and interior parts of the State including Mayurbhanj district.
“Two blocks have received more than 300 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours. G.Udaygiri in Kandhamal district recorded the highest 351 mm rainfall followed by 319 mm of rainfall in Kantapada of Cuttack district. As many as 16 blocks of the State received rainfall between 200-300 mm while 60 blocks have experienced 100-200 mm rainfall.” Sethi informed.
The water of Rushikulya River is flowing above danger mark in Aska, Sorada and Janabili. Similarly, the water level of Bada River near Gallery, Nuagaon, Madhababarida, Bhanjanagar and Aska has also crossed danger mark and Bahuda River in Kabisuryanagar is flowing above its danger level, reports said.
Many people have remained stranded in Aska as water was flowing at a height of 7-8 feet in the town. At least 193 inmates of Aska jail have been shifted to the first floor and kitchen rooms of the jail after the main gate of the jail got damaged due to the flood water, added reports.
The State government has decided to airdrop relief materials in the affected areas tomorrow with the help of two IAF helicopters.
Airdropping of relief materials to be undertaken at #CycloneTitli-affected areas of Aska & Purusottampur tomorrow; 2 helicopters reach Rangeilunda airstrip #Odisha pic.twitter.com/gKgAuDbfVC
— OTV (@otvnews) October 12, 2018
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the CM is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of Cyclone Titli-affected districts at 11 am tomorrow.
#Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to conduct aerial survey of #CycloneTitli-affected Ganjam, Gajapati & Rayagada districts; directs ministers Sashi Bhushan Behera & Ramesh Majhi to review relief operations pic.twitter.com/2qxckFSneK
— OTV (@otvnews) October 12, 2018
Official sources said that the very severe cyclonic storm Titli will turn in to a deep depression by Friday morning.
"The cyclonic storm will move towards north-westwards and re-curve towards north-eastwards. By evening today, it will weaken into cyclonic storm and further weaken and re-curve into deep depression by tomorrow morning. Later, it will gradually turn into depression and move towards Gangetic West Bengal," informed Director of Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas.
Biswas further informed that the wind speed at many places in south interior and south coastal districts including Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Nayagarh, where the impact of the cyclonic storm is the highest at present, will reach gusting to 100 kmph.
"The sea condition will continue to remain very rough to high over west-central and north Bay of Bengal and along & off south Odisha coast during the next six hours. It will become very rough along and off these coasts in the subsequent 24 hours and will gradually improve thereafter. Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off north Odisha coasts on October 11 and 12," said the latest bulletin of India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD also advised the fishermen not to venture into sea along and off Odisha coast and north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal till October 12.
Meanwhile, several places in Gajapati district reported large-scale damage as road communication between Paralakhemundi-Gosani-Kashinagar and Mohana blocks have been cut-off due to the uprooting of trees.
The communication networks have been disrupted while there are also reports of damage to several houses in Ganjam district.
• Ignore rumours. Stay calm, don't panic
• Keep your mobile phones charged to ensure connectivity' use SMS
• Listen to radio, watch TV, read newspapers for weather updates
• Prepare an emergency kit with essential items for safety and survival
• Secure your house, carry out repairs. Don't leave sharp objects loose
• Untie cattle/animals them to ensure their safety
For Fishermen
• Keep a radio set with extra batteries handy
• Keep boats or rafts tied up in a safe place
• Don't venture out in the sea
Also Read: Live Update: ‘Titli’ Turns Into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, Will Make Landfall At 5.30 Am Tomorrow
• Switch off electrical mains, gas supply
• Keep doors and windows shut
• If your house is unsafe, leave early before the onset of the cyclone
• Listen to radio/transistor
• Drink boiled/chlorinated water
• Rely only on official warnings
• Don't enter damaged buildings
• Watch out for broken electric poles and wires, other sharp objects
• Seek a safe shelter as soon as possible
— SRC, Govt of Odisha (@SRC_Odisha) October 10, 2018
— SRC, Govt of Odisha (@SRC_Odisha) October 10, 2018
“By 5.30 am today, the deep depression over east central Bay of Bengal is moving further towards west-north westwards with a speed of about 11 kmph and lay centred over west central Bay of Bengal near 570 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 510 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh,” informed Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Deputy Officer, Sudarsan Mishra.
“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and is expected to move west-north westwards for some more time and then north westwards and cross the coast between Gopalpur of Odisha and Kalingapatnam of adjoining north Andhra Pradesh around the morning of October 11,” Mishra said.
#WATCH: Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Deputy Officer Sudarsan Mishra informing on the movement of cyclonic system 'Titli' #Odisha pic.twitter.com/FrwK14XefE
— OTV (@otvnews) October 9, 2018
Meanwhile, the IMD officials also forecasted heavy rainfall at isolated places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts from today in view of the cyclonic storm.
Besides, districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall from tomorrow.
Moreover, the IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for Kandhamal, Boudh and Dhenkanal district from October 11.
Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely to commence along and off Odisha coast from the night today. The wind speed will increase gradually becoming 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph from the evening of October 10 along and off south Odisha coast and 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph along and off north Odisha coasts, said the regional Met department in a statement.
As the sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal during the 24 hours, and very rough to high on October 10 and 11, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Odisha coast and central and north Bay of Bengal till October 12.
On the other hand, the state government has geared up to tackle the situation. District collectors have been asked to remain alert and make necessary arrangements to shift people living in low lying areas.
Deputy Relief Commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra informed that around 300 motor boats have been arranged to assist in rescue operation as there is likelihood of flood situation due to possibility of heavy rains till October 11.
Joint Relief Commissioner of Odisha, Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra informed today that the central team is taking stock of the situation in Aska, Patrapur and Purushottampur areas and is scheduled to hold discussions with Ganjam collector and other district level officials later today.
“Tomorrow the central team will review the damages in Gajapati district and after the field visits, they will join a state-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary at the State Secretariat,” Mohapatra said.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced input subsidy to marginal farmers at Rs 6800 per hectare of land in rain fed/non-irrigated areas, Rs 13,500 per hectare in assured irrigation areas and Rs 18,000 for perennial crops like mango, cashew etc.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, is very likely in Odisha in the next 24 hours.
“We believe that the entire state, except some western parts, is likely to receive rain throughout the day. Depending upon the rainfall, we may see some flood in coastal Odisha. However, there is no flood-like situation as of now,” said Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.
“There may be flooding of the Vansadhara river as Gajapati and Rayagada districts received heavy rainfall due to the cyclone,” he added.
The officer said that Gajapati district, which was most affected, received more than 200 mm of rainfall while Mohana block in the district received the maximum rainfall of 315 mm.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday reviewed the cyclone situation.
Titli made landfall between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast early Thursday morning, disrupting road and telecommunications networks and power supply in most parts of Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
The maximum brunt was borne by Gajapati district, with uprooted trees hampering movement of vehicles.
Due to heavy rainfall Ledabandha river swelled 3-feet above the road leading to disruption in road services between Berhampur and Rayagada.
Water also flowed 5-feet above Atharnala bridge cutting communication to as many as 8 panchayats of Mohana which has recorded at least 315 mm of rain.
However, the damage in Ganjam district is lesser than what was anticipated. But flood threat loomed large in Aska and Sorada block of the district. Road communication was disrupted between Berhampur and Aska as water level flowed above the road at Nalabantha.
Low lying areas like Goudamatha, Khamar, Damodarpalli, Deuli have been marooned triggering panic among the locals.
Water level was also flowing above the danger mark in Rushikulya river system while flood water was released from Harabhanga through two gates of Badanala. The district administration relocated residents living in Patrapur, Chikiti, Sanakhemundi,Dharakote and other nearby areas.
Water Resources Minister Pradeep Jena said even as there is possibility of flood situation in Odisha, but the government is trying to control it so we hope that eventualities can be avoided.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi informed that students' union elections in colleges which were scheduled to be held in the state tomorrow have been cancelled in view of heavy rain and storm during the tropical cyclone Titli.
The met department has predicted that the state could record around 200 mm of rain tomorrow so as a precautionary measure, educational institutions will remain closed on October 11 and 12.
Also Read: Live Update: Cyclone ‘Titli’ to turn into very severe cyclonic storm in 18 hours
Padhi further stated that the government is coordinating with the Indian Army and if it is necessary then they will be called in. Residents of low lying areas of Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara districts will be evacuated.
Due to heavy rainfall, there is likelihood of flooding in coastal rivers, Rushikulya and Vansadhara River system, Padhi said after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Also Read: Bhubaneswar airport braces up for cyclone Titli
Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Surya Patro assured that public should not worry over alleged shortage of food items in markets as there enough quantities in stock.
Cyclone Titli which has been upgraded to a severe cyclonic storm category by the Indian Meteorological Department is likely to make landfall between Gopalpur beach in Odisha and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh by 5.30 am tomorrow morning.
As per sources, first an empty engine and later another train was run over the repaired track on a trial basis.
Officials of the Railways stated that the train services resumed from today, i.e. October 24, 2018.
Paralakhemundi Station Master Saroj Pradhan said, "All the trains in this route are running as per the schedule except one Rajya Rani Express.”
Puri-Gunupur and Visakhapatnam-Gunupur passenger trains will run as per the schedule. Rourkela-Gunupur Rajya Rani Express will run regularly w.e.f. October 28, 2018, informed a Railway press release.
Commuters too breathed a sigh of relief as many were dependent on the passenger trains running in the route. “The train services were affected for almost 11 days which made the commuters suffer a lot. Many people went to Puri today after the services resumed.”
Panda wrote, "Again appealing to @Naveen_Odisha for police to unseal the Bhubaneswar hangar whr 3 helicopters are idle (at least release the 2 against which thr are no allegations!) & use them free of cost for rescue & relief in inaccessible areas."
Let us not have any more unnecessary deaths, he added.
Again appealing to @Naveen_Odisha for police to unseal the Bhubaneswar hangar whr 3 helicopters are idle (at least release the 2 against which thr are no allegations!)
& use them free of cost for rescue & relief in inaccessible areas.
Let us not have any more unnecessary deaths?? https://t.co/4MMbV9cP8D— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) October 15, 2018
Panda stated that despite the allegation against one helicopter, three helicopters have been unnecessarily seized.
Earlier on Sunday, the senior leader, in another tweet had mentioned that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the alleged flying of one of his choppers over Chilika and neither the government nor the State police has rights to do so on aviation issues
Also Read: Govt has no rights to seal hangar, says Jay Panda on chopper seizure
The State government or police cannot seal the hangar based on allegations of violation of aviation rules since they have no authority to investigate the matters concerning aviation, Panda had said.
The response of the senior leader came after the Odisha government decided to deploy additional ODRAF and NDRF teams to assist the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Gajapati district that has witnessed extensive damage in the flash floods triggered by cyclonic storm Titli.
BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra ridiculed saying, “This shows the state government’s tall claims are artificial. They have completely failed to take stock of the situation which is why people in several districts of Odisha, especially in CM Naveen’s Ganjam district are grappling with flood situation.”
Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik took to Twitter and said, “BJD is patting its own back by saying they have handled CycloneTitli well but this is far from reality. Truth is that govt was caught napping despite several warnings from Met Dept. Thousands are stranded in affected areas. They must be helped immediately.”
Responding to BJP allegations, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said, “Opposition should maintain a level of sensibility and humanity. BJP is trying to politicise things during such a serious situation. It is seriously condemnable.”
Meanwhile, sources said flood-situation is expected to normalise soon as river-water levels have started to decrease slowly with dry conditions prevailing in the flood-hit districts since yesterday. However, situation in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts still remains vulnerable where the remote areas have been cut off due to the incessant rains that followed the cyclonic storm Titli.
As many as 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed in various districts, said sources.
Also, two Indian Navy helicopters from Vishakapatnam have been pressed into action to expedite the relief and rescue operations.
Reports further claimed Ganjam district has been worst affected by the flood waters with places including Bhanjanagar, Sorada, Dharakote, Aska, Purushottampur and Seragada still marooned.
Meanwhile, water is flowing above danger level in Budhabalanga and Baitarani Rivers.
As per reports, Budhabalanga is currently flowing at 8.22 metres against the danger mark of 8.13 metres at Barunighat in Balasore, as a result of which, low lying areas of Sadar block have been inundated. Baitarani River, on the other hand, is flowing at 18.03 metres against the danger mark of 17.83 metres near Akhuapada in Bhadrak district.
Sources said three-member ministerial committee constituting Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, Water Resources Minister Niranjan Pujari and Energy Minister Sushant Singh have left for Ganjam to monitor rescue, relief and restoration operations in the district. The committee's first meeting is likely to be held in Chatrapur to decide on the future course of action.
Ministers Sashi Bhusan Behera and Ramesh Majhi also left for Kandhamal district to monitor the relief and restoration operations.
Sample this: The number of heat waves swept across the State in 1970-79 were mere 2, which means the State witnessed heat wave twice during the decade. The number then had risen to 7 and 9 during the two successive decades of 1980-89 and 1990-99. In fact, coastal Odisha's first brush with heat wave was in 1998, when nearly 200 people succumbed to intense heat wave that enveloped the entire coastal belt for the first time in State's history.
Post the 1998 intense heat wave, came the 1999 super cyclone. In fact, year 1999 saw two cyclones hitting Odisha in a span of mere 15-days. Since then Odisha has been in the epicentre of 'extreme' natural events.
Consider this. Post the 1999 super cyclone, the number of heat waves gripped the State zoomed by a whopping 343 per cent. The decade of 2000-09 saw around 31 heat waves from mere 7 in the earlier decade. Significantly, the State breathed easy for three year period of 2010-2013, when Odisha on an average witnessed mere 2 heat waves per year.
However, as the State bore the brunt of extremely severe cyclone Phailin in 2013, the year 2014 again witnessed intense heat wave. As many 10 heat waves gripped the State in 2014. The following year, means 2015, Odisha witnessed one of its worst drought. But the State witnessed three heat waves. The year 2016 saw mere 2 heat waves.
However, since 2017 the extreme natural events happen at a rapid pace in Odisha. The year 2017 recorded a whopping 41 heat waves - the hottest ever year in Odisha's history since 1970, when recording of temperatures have started in India.
Last year, that means in 2018, Odisha witnessed 22 heat waves and 2 cyclones (Daye and Titli). This was the first year in State's history when Odisha witnessed intense heat waves and also cyclones in tow later.
The notable fact here is Odisha had witnessed heat waves either preceding or following the cyclone years, be it 1998 heat wave year followed by 1999 super cyclone or the years following the super cyclone year.
In Odisha's climatic history, year 2017 was the worst year ever. Not only heat waves, Odisha topped the country in lightning deaths in country in 2017.
Interestingly, extreme weather events are an outcome of climate change. The signs of climate change are heat waves, cold waves and cyclones. All the signs manifest quite conspicuously in Odisha. And the impact was more discernible since 2017.
Take this for instance. Odisha during the period of 1990 - 2016 had witnessed mere 5 cold waves. But since 2017, the number of cold waves shivering Odisha posted a sudden spurt. When the number of cold waves the State witnessed in 2017 were 11, it jumped to 15 in 2018.
Moreover, Odisha had never witnessed any extremely severe cyclone in the month of April- May since last three decades. The increasing pace of natural catastrophes in Odisha, therefore, point to an emerging ominous trend in Odisha.
The bottom line: Odisha, which touted itself as the first State to have a climate change monitoring group to suggest policy changes to mitigate increasing natural calamities, and have also won plaudits from World Bank and UNEP, seems clueless as all the policy stances remained on paper only.
Apart from Rahul, Agra features Priyanka Bose, Mohit Agarwal, Ruhani Sharma ,Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha and Aanchal Goswami in key roles.
‘Agra’ is the second directorial venture of Kanu Behl after a stellar movie ‘Titli’ four years back.
"’Agra'’ is a story of a cosmos of a family - throbbing and pulsating, hunting and escaping the very dynamic energies that people in the family inhabit. It is an exploration of space in an increasingly crowded world, and the quest for a sexual odyssey of an individual here," said Behl in a statement to IANS.
Produced by Yoodlee Films, the upcoming film is aiming for a release in 2020. The film will be shot mostly in and around Agra city of Uttar Pradesh.
Analyst Taran Adarsh dropped a message on social media about the film and tweeted, “#Titli director Kanu Behl starts new film... Titled #Agra... Rahul Roy - who shot to fame with #Aashiqui - makes a comeback with the film... Has an ensemble cast... Will be filmed in and around #Agra... 2020 release... Produced by Yoodlee Films.”
Two years on, memories of the nightmarish encounter with the nature's raw fury may have taken a back seat in the minds of people but not the pain and anguish that it inflicted on the lives of people.
Rayagada block in Gajapati district was probably one of the worst hit regions by the cyclone but even though a considerable period of time has passed, the tribal belt is struggling to recover from the devastation incurred by the storm.
Take for example, the Tamatara village under Gandahati panchayat of the block. Locals of the area narrate how the cyclone completely damaged their life and livelihood forever crippling dozens of houses, vegetation, forest cover and disrupted electricity and all kinds of communication channels.
Though the district administration launched evacuation drive and rehabilitated some families from the hill top a day after the cyclone, as many as 25 families still continue to live atop the hill without basic amenities like electricity.
The hilltop residents say that they are reluctant to leave behind their lands and move downhill despite the horror of witnessing nature unleashing its anger.
“We are living a very miserable life without electricity, drinking water. Moreover, the house we are living in are in very dilapidated condition but we are not sure how we will move somewhere else leaving behind our house, land along with good and bad memories,” said Narahari Sabar, a local.
“The government has failed to provide electricity and potable water in the area. The water being supplied to the village but is of substandard quality,” said Haribandhu Kargi, former sarpanch of Gangabada panchayat.
Reacting on the development, district collector Anupam Shah said efforts are being made to provide electricity connection to the village.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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