Odisha’s Cyclone DANA: Damage and Relief Efforts
Impact of Cyclone DANA
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the final assessment of damages caused by Cyclone DANA. The cyclone affected 131 blocks across 14 districts, leading to significant losses.
Financial Impact
The total damage is estimated at Rs 616.19 crore, affecting various state departments including Power, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development. Crop losses alone are estimated at Rs 82.92 crore, while damage to houses is nearly Rs 21 crore.
Relief Measures
The state government plans to compensate affected individuals. Minister Pujari stated that funds will be distributed to departments and districts promptly. Assistance will be provided for partially or completely damaged houses, with options for new housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Government Response
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas, directing immediate assessment and aid. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja reported that 92% of connectivity has been restored.
Doubts Revealed
Odisha -: Odisha is a state located on the eastern coast of India, known for its rich culture and history. It often faces cyclones due to its coastal location.
Cyclone DANA -: Cyclone DANA is a powerful storm that hit Odisha, causing damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure. Cyclones are large storms with strong winds and heavy rain.
Suresh Pujari -: Suresh Pujari is a politician in Odisha, serving as the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister. He is responsible for managing the state’s response to disasters like cyclones.
Blocks -: In India, a block is an administrative division within a district. It is a smaller area that helps in managing local governance and development.
Rs 616.19 crore -: Rs 616.19 crore is a large amount of money, where ‘Rs’ stands for Indian Rupees, the currency of India. One crore is equal to ten million, so this amount is 6,161.9 million rupees.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a principal of a school but for the whole state. Mohan Charan Majhi is the Chief Minister of Odisha.
Chief Secretary -: The Chief Secretary is the top administrative officer in a state, helping the government run smoothly. Manoj Ahuja is the Chief Secretary of Odisha.
92% connectivity restored -: This means that after the cyclone, most of the communication and transportation systems, like roads and phone lines, have been fixed and are working again.