Brahmapur: An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) on Wednesday Odisha’s Ganjam district to assess the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent heavy rainfall and floods.
The team, led by Ravi Shunakar, Joint Secretary (BM-I), Ministry of Home Affairs, inspected the worst-affected areas in Purushottampur, Hinjili, Asika and Dharakote blocks. The team was accompanied by RDC Southern Division Vijay Amrit Kulange, Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan and other district officials.
During the field visit, the team inspected Achuli, Handighara and Hiradharbati irrigation structure in Purushottampur block; Ghodahada bridge and Burupada in Hinjili; Laxmi Bazaar under Asika Municipality, Nabaratnapur, Panchayat Samiti office, Pakalapalli, Asika Sub-Divisional Hospital and Kalasandhapur in Asika block; and Jahada, Janibili anicut and Dhaugaon in Dharakote block.
The members assessed the impact of heavy rainfall and floods on river embankments, agricultural and horticultural crops, irrigation facilities, roads, bridges and power infrastructure. They also examined sand deposits in agricultural fields, damage to lift irrigation projects, the Jayamangal Irrigation System near Ghodahada bridge, rural roads, electric poles, Asika SDH, public health institutions, commercial establishments and residential buildings.
District officials briefed the team on the precautionary measures taken ahead of the cyclone, evacuation and relief operations, restoration work and the losses reported by various departments. They also explained the ongoing damage assessment process.
The central team recorded the extent of damage during the inspection and said its findings would be incorporated into a report to be submitted to the government.
The team subsequently proceeded to Bhubaneswar. It had visited cyclone-affected areas of Gajapati district on November 3.
The team members included, Dr Man Singh, Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Rahul Chaurasia, Deputy Director, Ministry of Finance; Dilip Kumar Jena, Director, Central Water Commission; Karan Sareen, Deputy Director, Central Electricity Authority; Sunil Kumar, Superintending Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Ajaya Kumar Sahoo, Under Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development; and C Sai Krishna, Scientist-D, National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO.