Phulbani, June 2: A severe Kalbaisakhi storm struck Pandamaha village under Yubaguda Panchayat of Kotagarh Block on Thursday evening around 7 PM. The sudden storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder, causing widespread damage in the village.
Around 15 to 20 families suffered damage to their houses, with doors broken and roofs blown away. In some cases, asbestos roofing sheets were carried nearly 100 meters away by the storm. Trees also fell on several houses, causing major destruction. Thatch, tin sheets, wooden materials, and other household belongings were damaged in the storm.
Villagers reportedly spent the entire night outside their homes, taking shelter under trees. Rice, paddy, cash, and household furniture were also destroyed.
Among the affected families are Kavita Malik, Magi Malik, Bandeda Malik, Kundukudi Malik, Sanatan Mandal Majhi, Ashalata Malik, Pilip Mandal Majhi, Srikanu Beruk Majhi, Bijay Beruk Majhi, Ritu Mandal Majhi, and Pitri Mandal Majhi, among others.
Local residents have appealed to the administration to provide immediate government assistance and demanded that the affected tribal families be provided houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Similarly, extensive damage due to the Kalbaisakhi storm has also been reported from several other panchayats of Kotagarh Block, including Kotagarh, Madaguda, Judabali, Dharakot, Durgapanga, Subarnagiri, Sartul, Ora, Gugurmaha, Srirampur, Yubaguda, Marlanga, Pakari, Ranipanga, and Parigada Panchayats.
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