Death toll in cyclone-hit Odisha rises to 52; damage put at INR 2,200 crore

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 17 (IANS): The number of deaths in cyclone Titli-hit Odisha increased to 52, and the state government more than doubled the compensation amount to the kin of the deceased, an official said on Wednesday. Authorities conducted a review meeting to assess the extent of damage due to the cyclone that battered the state on October 11.
The coastal state is estimated to have suffered damages worth Rs 2,200 crore, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi. “As per the primary damage assessment report, the overall damage including infrastructure and agriculture has been estimated at Rs 2,200 crore,” Padhi said.

A final damage assessment report will be prepared within two days, he added.
“39 deaths are reported from Gajapati district alone. 12 deaths are reported from Ganjam district and one from Kandhamal district,” said Special Relief

Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi after the review meeting. The state government enhanced the compensation amount from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for each family of the deceased.

The state government on Tuesday released Rs 102 crore for the people of Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada – the worst affected districts. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited Gajapati and Ganjam districts, announced that Baraghara village will be shifted from the hilltop to the foothills.