Hudhud-hit in Odisha’s Rayagada dist yet to get relief

Reported by Ranjan Rath
Rayagada, Oct 26:

While the district administration of Rayagada in south Odisha claims that it has provided assistance to all those who were affected by Cyclone Hudhud that struck the area in the second week of October, the ground realities present an altogether different story.

When OST went to Bariguda village of Bisamcuttack block for a reality check, it found 40-year old Tibu Kadraka as living repudiation of the tall claims of the administration.

“Though the village is just 10 km away from the Bissamcuttack block headquarters and is well connected with PMGSY road, my family has not received either a polythene sheet or any relief in the shape of rice yet,” Kadraka told OST.

The situation is no different in the remote Leleri and Dabari villages of Gumma revenue circle of Rayagada block where there is no road.
The district administration is yet to provide any relief material to the poor tribals of the two villages where 8-10 houses have completely damaged by Hudhud.

But ask the district administration and you would be told everything is hunky dory.

As per the report of the district administration, the Cyclone Hudhud has damaged over 7000 houses in Rayagada district of which 110 have been completely damaged.

While the administration has estimated the damage to the tune of Rs 48.76 lakh, it has stated in its report that it has provided relief assistance to all the cyclone-hit people of the district.

Higher Education minister Pradeep Panigrahi, in charge of the District Planning Board, also played along with the district administration’s claim.

After touring the district for two days taking stock of the extent of damage to the life and property and monitor repair and restoration work as per the orders of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Panigrahi was all praise for the district administration’s relief and rehabilitation efforts.

As per the report of the district administration, the Cyclone Hudhud has damaged over 7000 houses in Rayagada district of which 110 have been completely damaged.