Central team visits Ganjam to assess cyclone and flood damage
An eight-member delegation inspected agricultural land and infrastructure in Odisha following Cyclone Arnab and subsequent flooding.
An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team visited Ganjam district in Odisha on Wednesday to evaluate damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and recent floods, according to reports from Hindustan Times and The Federal.
The delegation, led by Union Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary Ravi Shankar, inspected areas in the Purushottampur block, including Achuli and Handighar villages. The team reviewed losses to residential settlements, rural infrastructure, and agricultural land, specifically looking at paddy crops nearing harvest.
During the visit, officials examined breaches in the Rushikulya river embankment, damaged bridges, and washed-away roads. They also inspected electricity infrastructure, such as snapped power lines, and water management systems like the Hiradharbati irrigation project.
The team includes representatives from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and various departments covering finance, agriculture, rural development, power, water, and roads. This follows a request from the Odisha government to assess damage in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal districts after the cyclone made landfall on October 28.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan presented a report including photographs and videos to the team. One team member told reporters that crops in low-lying areas have clearly suffered damage.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the team will meet with senior state officials to discuss their observations. The findings will form a report to help determine central aid and compensation for rehabilitation.