Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced today that the situation in the three worst-affected districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara is steadily returning to normalcy following the recent cyclone.
After a comprehensive review of the post-cyclone restoration efforts, Majhi reported that a total of 8,09,513 people had been evacuated to cyclone shelters, with only 1,10,770 individuals remaining in these facilities. He assured that those in flooded areas can stay in the shelters until conditions improve.
The cyclone impacted approximately 22.84 lakh households across the state, and by 7:30 PM, electricity had been restored to over 92% of the affected regions. Kendrapara district is nearing full recovery, while Bhadrak continues to face challenges with waterlogging, achieving a restoration level of 77%. In Balasore, roadblocks have been cleared, and 81% of consumers now have electricity.
In Shimilipal, the Budhabalang River experienced swelling due to recent rains, but the water levels are now stabilizing. Twenty villages in Balasore were inundated, necessitating rescues, with 2,500 individuals saved from Remuna and 8,000 from Balasore Sadar blocks.
In Mayurbhanj, electricity supply has been fully restored, and additional power boats have been dispatched to both Mayurbhanj and Balasore to assist with ongoing recovery efforts. The water level at Gobindpur Setu remains below the danger mark, providing some relief to local residents. Furthermore, twenty-eight snakebite victims have received timely treatment.
Initial assessments indicate significant agricultural damage, with approximately 2 lakh acres of land experiencing crop loss. The state government plans to provide immediate assistance to affected farmers once water levels recede.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and supporting those impacted by the cyclone, ensuring that all necessary resources are mobilized for recovery.