Odisha Deploys Four IAS Officers to Oversee Relief and Restoration in Cyclone-Hit Districts

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has deployed four IAS officers as Additional Special Relief Commissioners (Additional SRCs) in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts to expedite damage assessment, relief distribution and restoration work following the heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’.

The decision was announced by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari after a review meeting on the impact of Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and the prevailing situation following the landfall of Cyclone ‘Murasu’.

The officers will work with the respective district administrations to ensure timely assessment of losses, delivery of compensation to affected people and speedy restoration of damaged infrastructure. Pawan Kumar (2024 batch) has been assigned to Gajapati, while Ajit Kumar (2022 batch) and Tejaswini Behera (2023 batch) will oversee Ganjam. Shiva Malavya (2023 batch) has been deployed in Kandhamal.

Meanwhile, the State Government has evacuated around 1,65,809 people from six districts as part of its preparedness and response measures. Ganjam accounts for the highest number of evacuees at 1,52,010, followed by Kandhamal (6,269), Malkangiri (5,073), Gajapati (620), Koraput (1,101) and Rayagada (736). Around 592 permanent and temporary shelters are currently operational across these districts.

The Minister said that 54 ODRAF teams, nine NDRF teams and more than 100 Fire Service teams have been deployed in the affected districts. Senior district administration officials are also stationed in the field to supervise relief and rescue operations. Schools in the affected districts remain largely closed, with decisions on reopening left to the respective district administrations based on local conditions.

Murasu situation under close watch

Reviewing the situation arising from Cyclone ‘Murasu’, Pujari said the system entered Andhra Pradesh late last night and was located south of Vijayawada, moving further towards Telangana. No district in Odisha has so far reported significant impact from the cyclone.

The State recorded an average rainfall of around 2 mm in the last 24 hours. Puri received 12 mm, while Malkangiri, Koraput and Ganjam recorded 10 mm or less, according to the latest information shared at the meeting.

The State Government is closely monitoring the situation and remains prepared to respond to any eventuality.

Damage assessment and restoration

Pujari said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has already announced a compensation package for damage to houses, agricultural land and businesses caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’. Restoration and repair of damaged infrastructure are being carried out on a priority basis by the Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Works, Energy and Water Resources departments.

A Central team currently visiting Odisha to assess cyclone-related damage visited Gajapati district on Tuesday. It is scheduled to visit Ganjam on Wednesday before returning to Bhubaneswar. The respective District Collectors are coordinating the field visits and identifying locations for inspection.

The District Collectors have also been directed to submit preliminary damage assessment reports at the earliest. Comprehensive reports will subsequently be prepared and submitted to the Government of India.

The Minister stressed the need for faster damage assessment, timely compensation and coordinated restoration efforts to ensure that relief and essential services reach affected people without delay.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi and senior officials of concerned departments attended the meeting.