Central team begins two-day assessment of Cyclone Arnab damage in Odisha
An eight-member inter-ministerial delegation is evaluating destruction caused by the cyclone and subsequent flooding in southern Odisha.
An eight-member inter-ministerial central team started a two-day ground assessment of damage in southern Odisha on Tuesday, according to Odisha Bytes. The team is evaluating the impact of Cyclone Arnab and the floods that occurred after the storm hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
Led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the delegation is inspecting losses in sectors such as agriculture, power, water resources, roads, and infrastructure. They are also reviewing the status of ongoing relief, rescue, and rehabilitation work.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the team was sent by the Centre following a request from the state government. The group visited Gajapati district on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Ganjam district on Wednesday.
The state previously reported significant destruction in the Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. Heavy rainfall from the cyclone caused flooding that damaged crops and houses, washed away roads, and left hundreds of villages marooned.
Gajapati Collector Akshya Sunil Agrawal told the media that the team arrived in the district to assess the damage and received a detailed briefing at the collector's office. The contingent includes representatives from the ministries of finance, agriculture, rural development, power, Jal Shakti, and road transport and highways, as well as a scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The findings from this assessment will be used alongside the state's report to determine the amount of central assistance provided for restoration and recovery efforts in the flood-affected areas.