Cyclone Arnab: Central Team to Visit Odisha, Assess Damage in Three Districts

Cyclone Arnab: Central Team to Visit Odisha, Assess Damage in Three Districts

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2 (UDN): A central government team is scheduled to visit Odisha on Monday to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts. The assessment is expected to play a key role in determining the financial assistance the state may receive from the Centre.

The team’s findings will be considered alongside the preliminary damage report prepared by the Odisha Government. Both reports will be submitted to the Centre for examination before a decision is taken on the assistance package.

Central Team Led by Union Home Ministry Official

The assessment team will be headed by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Other members include Man Singh, Director of the Directorate of Rice Development, Patna; Rahul Chaurasia, Deputy Director in the Union Finance Ministry’s Department of Expenditure; and Dilip Kumar Jena, Director of the Central Water Commission, Bhubaneswar.

The team also includes Karan Sarin, Deputy Director of the Central Electricity Authority; Sunil Kumar, Superintending Engineer in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Bhubaneswar; Ajay Kumar Sahu, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development; and C. Sai Krishna, a scientist at the National Remote Sensing Centre of ISRO, Hyderabad.

The officials are expected to examine the extent of damage across the affected districts and review the state’s assessment before submitting their findings.

Centre to Consider State’s Damage Report

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the Centre would take into account both the state’s preliminary report and the central team’s findings before deciding on financial assistance.

He added that he had discussed the cyclone-related damage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The final assistance package would be considered after the assessment process is completed.

Majhi also indicated that the state could utilise funds from the supplementary budget, if necessary, to address the situation.

The Chief Minister said central assistance would be determined on the basis of the final assessment after the visiting team examined the damage and discussed the state government’s report.

Odisha Keeps Watch on Cyclone Murasu

While relief and restoration work continues in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab, the state government is also monitoring the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu.

Majhi visited the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Sunday to review the state’s preparedness and response arrangements.

Officials and rescue personnel already deployed in vulnerable and affected areas will continue their duties, while 50 additional officers have been assigned to strengthen the ongoing operations.

Relief and Restoration Remain Government Priorities

The Chief Minister said the immediate priority was to ensure timely assistance to people affected by Cyclone Arnab and restore damaged infrastructure.

The administration is continuing relief operations and restoration work to help affected communities return to normal life. At the same time, preparedness measures are being maintained in view of the possible threat posed by Cyclone Murasu.

The central team’s visit is expected to provide a clearer picture of the damage in the three districts and help the Centre determine the financial support required by Odisha.