Joint centre-state efforts saved lives in Odisha

Although he was to visit the worst flood-hit district of Balasore, the trip was cancelled on account of adverse weather.

State Chief Secretary J.K. Mohapatra submitted a memorandum on behalf of the state government in which the Odisha government estimated the damage due to cyclone and subsequent floods at about Rs.4,242 crore, and sought central help.

The severe tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal which made landfall Oct 12 night near Gopalpur in Odisha's Ganjam district has left behind a trail of destruction in several coastal districts of the state.

Although damage to properties was estimated at several crore rupees, the loss of lives was minimal, compared to the 1999 super cyclone that left over 10,000 dead.

The toll from the latest cyclone and flooding rose to 44, as the government Wednesday confirmed eight more deaths due to floods.

The low casualty figures were due to large-scale evacuation before the cyclone struck the land.

About 1.2 crore people in 17 districts of the state have been affected by the cyclone and subsequent floods, according to government data.