Cyclone ‘Titli’ claims 18 lives in Odisha’s Gajapati

Paralakhemundi: The severe cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ that caused extensive damage in south and coastal Odisha has claimed 18 lives so far in Gajapati district.

“Total 18 casualties have been confirmed so far in Gajapati district,” told Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi to media after a review meeting at Paralakhemundi today.

“The bodies have been recovered. A team of doctors, magistrate and police has visited to verify other reports that are coming from the cyclone and flood hit areas,” he said.

After reviewing relief and rehabilitation measures in the district, Padhi said that maximum trucks carrying polythenes are expected to be distributed by today. Another 50 trucks will reach the district by tomorrow evening.

The government has decided to provide sanitation facility by engaging extra teams in rural and urban areas.

“We have decided to make the ration available to the beneficiaries under both National Food Security Act and State Food Security scheme at the centres in two advance phases. By simplifying the scheme, we will provide 50 kg rice per beneficiary to cover 90% percent affected families in the district.

By directive of Chief Minister, the card holders will be provided Rs 1000 each under the schemes. The distribution process of cash and 50 kg rice will start from tomorrow morning. The distribution of cash will be made videographed at panchayat, NAC and municipality level.

Besides, the beneficiaries will be provided 2.50 litre kerosene at subsidized rate, he added.

Padhi also informed that ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh would be provided to each family of the deceased.