Central team begins assessment of Cyclone Arnab damage in Odisha
An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team is visiting southern Odisha to evaluate damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) began a visit to southern Odisha on Tuesday to assess damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods, according to The Federal. The team is conducting on-the-spot assessments in districts including Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal.
The team is led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Following preliminary discussions with state officials on Monday, the team visited Gajapati on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Ganjam on Wednesday.
The assessment covers sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, roads, power, water resources and rural development. Members include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Rural Development, the Directorate of Rice Development and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government has already discussed the damage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He stated that the central assistance would be decided after the assessment process is completed and the central team examines the state's preliminary damage report.
The Chief Minister noted that the state government could use the supplementary budget to meet immediate expenses if necessary. He also directed the administration to ensure that relief and restoration work in affected areas continues without disruption as the state prepares for another weather system, Cyclone Murasu.