Central team visits Ganjam to assess Cyclone Arnab damage
An eight-member inter-ministerial team inspected agricultural fields and infrastructure in Odisha following recent floods.
An eight-member central team visited several flood and cyclone-affected areas in Odisha's Ganjam district on Wednesday, according to the Hindustan Times. The team is assessing damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods that occurred last week.
Led by Ravi Shankar, joint secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the team began its assessment in Achili village. This visit followed a trip to the neighbouring Gajapati district on Tuesday.
The team inspected agricultural fields, specifically looking at standing paddy crops near harvest, and interacted with affected farmers. They also examined breaches in the Rushikulya river embankment, damaged electricity infrastructure, and washed-away roads and bridges.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan presented a detailed report, including photographs and videos, to the team. The team includes officials from the ministries of agriculture, finance, Jal Shakti, power, rural development, and road transport and highways, as well as a representative from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The Centre deputed the team following a request from the Odisha government to assess damage in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal districts. Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
A member of the team told reporters that a survey is being conducted to identify affected areas and determine compensation. Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the team will meet with senior state officials to discuss the assessment and share observations.