Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (UDN): An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team on Wednesday toured several cyclone- and flood-affected pockets of Odisha’s Ganjam district to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent flooding.
Led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the team began its field assessment at Achili village, a day after inspecting affected areas in neighbouring Gajapati district.
During the visit, the central officials examined agricultural fields where standing paddy crops, nearing harvest, had suffered damage. They also interacted with affected farmers to understand the extent of their losses, a senior district official accompanying the team said.
Paddy Fields, Irrigation Facilities Under Inspection
The team visited several lift irrigation points and inspected breaches in embankments along the Rushikulya river. Floodwaters from the river had inundated large stretches of agricultural land, affecting farming activities in the district.
The panel also reviewed damage to critical infrastructure, including electricity installations, snapped power lines, uprooted trees and mobile tower facilities.
Several damaged bridges and road stretches washed away by floodwaters were also inspected as part of the assessment.
Before heading to the affected locations, the team held a meeting with district administration officials to review the preliminary damage assessment.
Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan V presented a detailed account of the losses, supported by photographs and video footage documenting the impact of the cyclone and floods.
Earlier Assessment In Gajapati
On Tuesday, the central team visited several affected locations in Gajapati district, where heavy flooding had damaged road connectivity and public infrastructure.
The team inspected bridges washed away at Makapada in R Udayagiri block and Gundriguda in Mohana block. It also visited the damaged Khariguda culvert and an affected stretch of the National Highway near Ledabandha.
Centre Deputes Team Following State Government Request
The Centre sent the assessment team after the Odisha government sought an evaluation of the damage caused by floods triggered by Cyclone Arnab. The cyclone made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
The state government had reported extensive damage across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts in southern Odisha.
Besides Ravi Shankar, the team includes representatives from the Union ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Jal Shakti, Power, Road Transport and Highways, and Rural Development. An official from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also part of the delegation.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the central team would meet senior state government officials after completing its field visits to discuss the damage assessment and share its observations.
The team’s findings are expected to help the authorities evaluate the extent of the losses and take up the matter of assistance for the affected areas.
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