Bhubaneswar: With the cyclone Dana weakened into a deep depression after causing damages to houses, power infrastructures and crops, the State government now geared up to assess the damages caused by the natural disaster.
The damage assessment process will start tomorrow and be completed in a week, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said here today.
While briefing media persons he said the government would provide pucca houses whose houses were damaged in the cyclone.
While districts like Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur were severely affected by the cyclone, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Puri and Cuttack have also been impacted, he said.
With blessings from Lord Jagannath, the Cyclone has weakened and we have become successful in tackling the cyclone. All the roads blocked with trees will be cleared and electric supply will be restored in all the areas soon, he said.
“Power and telecom services have been restored at most of the places. The Health Department has done brilliant work. Those who want to stay in relief centers will be provided food overnight. If the weather permits, an aerial survey will be conducted on Saturday to assess the damages caused by the cyclone,” said Shri Pujari.
He said teams of NDRE, ODRAF, Odisha Fire Service, OFDC and Rural Development department are working on war footing to restore normalcy in road communication by removing uprooted trees and other obstructions in affected areas.
Several social and voluntary organisations are also extending assistance to the government in relief operations, he said, adding that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of people.
Meanwhile, the State government has cancelled the leave on Saturday and Sunday of all employees to undertake post-cyclone works.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Deoranjan Kumar Singh has written a letter to all departments in this regard this evening.
Due to the impact of the severe cyclonic storm “Dana”, disaster management and other response activities need to be undertaken on top priority, Shri Singh said.
Keeping in this view the government has declared that the concerned departments are required to open their office and the concerned officers shall perform duty on October 26 and 27as usual, he said.
Similarly, schools will continue to remain closed in Balasore, Bhadrak and Keonjhar districts on Saturday as rainfall continues in the districts and maximum schools have been used as cyclone shelters for the people evacuated from the vulnerable areas.