"131 blocks across 14 districts affected": Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], November 6 (ANI): Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday said that they have received the final assessment report showcasing the losses caused by cyclone DANA in the state. Nearly 131 blocks across 14 districts of Odisha were affected due to the cyclonic storm and the subsequent flooding, he added.
The overall damages due to the cyclonic storm and the subsequent flooding, including damage to the departments of the state are estimated to be around Rs 616.19 crore, the minister said, adding that there have been damages to the power department, Panchayati Raj department, Rural Department, among others. The crop loss in the entire state of Odisha due to the cyclonic storm is estimated to be around Rs 82.92 crores, Pujari said.
"After the damage caused by the recent cyclone DANA, we have received the final report of the losses caused due to the cyclonic storm. Many departments of the state including the Power Department, Panchayati Raj Department and Rural Development Department were also affected by the cyclone. The entire loss (to public property or the departments) put together is worth Rs 512.26 crores. Apart from this, 131 blocks across 14 districts of Odisha were affected. The crop loss in the entire state due to the cyclone and subsequent floods is estimated to be around Rs 82.92 crores. The loss to the damages to the house was nearly Rs 21 crores. The overall damages are estimated to be Rs 616.19 crores. This is the final assessment report. The file is being processed," Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.
The Odisha Minister said that the state government will compensate those whose houses and crops have been affected in various districts.
"We will start distributing the amount to different departments and districts within a day or two. We will try to ensure that those affected are getting the compensation. We have a provision to provide compensation to houses that have been partially or completely damaged. In case of completely damaged houses, we can provide them houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)," the minister said.
Earlier Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas of the state and directed concerned departments to immediately assess the damage and provide assistance to the needy. Minister Pujari and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja also accompanied the CM Majhi.
The Chief Minister directed concerned departments to immediately assess the damage and to provide assistance to those people impacted by Cyclone Dana.
Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja took stock of the damage done in the state, and the relief efforts being carried out, and highlighted that around 92 per cent of connectivity has been restored across the state. (ANI)