Restoration of power & telecommunication services top priority
Our Correspondent / AMN / Bhubneshwar
Relief and restoration works in the affected areas are continuing in full swing. Food packets are being distributed in and around Puri by Indian Navy helicopters.
Community Kitchens have also been set up to ensure constant supply of food to affected people.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced relief and financial assistance for the cyclone-affected people in the state.
He said all families covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in affected districts will receive food aid.
People in the affected districts will also receive one month of additional pension and house building assistance as per relief code.
Mr Patnaik said, loss of agricultural, horticultural crops, animal resources and fisheries will be assessed and compensated accordingly.
The chief minister’s office said plantation of trees will be taken up in mission mode soon after relief restoration. As per a government estimate, around 10 lakh trees were uprooted in Bhubaneswar alone.
Meanwhile Centre has accorded top priority to restoration of power and telecommunication services in the cyclone-affected states.
The directive was issued by Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha after a review meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee in New Delhi on Sunday.
The committee also reviewed relief measures in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh which were affected by the Cyclone Fani.
Major damages to the power transmission and distribution systems have been reported in Bhubaneswar and Puri.
Power Ministry has moved DG sets of 500 KVA, 250 KVA and 125 KVA capacity and also provided workmen, who are engaged in restoration of power lines and towers.
An official release said, neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have been requested to provide additional assistance to Odisha, particularly in the area of power.
More than 3 million power consumers in Odisha have been affected by the cyclonic storm. Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi said that power supply to around one million consumers will be restored by tomorrow.
Railways said, 85 of the 138 trains cancelled are now operational. The main line to Bhubaneswar has commenced operations while Puri will be ready to receive trains in about 4 to 5 days.
Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar resumed its operation Sunday morning. The Defence Ministry through special transport planes and helicopters are moving medicines and other relief material.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured of continuous support from the Centre to cyclone-affected Odisha. He will be visiting the state on Monday to take stock of the situation.